Hamas has issued a stern warning on Wednesday, stating that hostages could be killed if Israel continues its attempts to retrieve them by force while airstrikes persist in the Gaza Strip. In a statement, the Palestinian militant group expressed concern over the safety of the captives, saying, "Every time the occupation attempts to retrieve its captives by force, it ends up bringing them back in coffins."
The group claimed it was doing everything possible to keep the hostages alive, but warned that Israeli airstrikes were endangering their lives. Israel resumed its airstrikes and launched ground operations in Gaza last week, following a period of relative calm under a ceasefire that had been in place since January. These actions have resulted in a significant escalation of violence.
Since Israel renewed its military operations, at least 830 Palestinians have been reported killed, according to Gaza's health ministry, which operates under Hamas. The violence comes on the heels of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel that killed 1,218 people, mostly civilians, according to official figures.
Israel's ongoing military offensive has resulted in devastating casualties in Gaza. According to the health ministry in the Hamas-controlled territory, the toll has reached at least 50,183 Palestinian deaths, the majority of whom are civilians. The current escalation follows the violent and deadly events of October 7 and continues to wreak havoc in the region, with no sign of a peaceful resolution in sight.
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