Hamas Releases "Farewell" Photo Of Hostages, Blames Israel's Gaza Invasion

Hamas shared a compilation image of the remaining 47 Israeli hostages held in Gaza on Saturday

On Saturday, Hamas released a compilation photograph showing the 47 Israeli hostages still being detained in Gaza. Hamas described the image as a "farewell picture," with each captive labeled as "Ron Arad" - a reference to the Israeli Air Force navigator captured in 1986. Each hostage was also assigned a number in the image.

The text accompanying the photograph directly accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of rejecting a ceasefire-hostage deal and criticized IDF Chief of Staff for proceeding with the Gaza invasion despite reported opposition.

The message stated: "Because of [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu's refusal, and [IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal] Zamir's capitulation, a parting image as the military operation in Gaza City begins."

According to Israeli publication Ynet, officials believe that of the 47 hostages pictured, only 20 are still alive. Two are reportedly in critical condition, while the rest are presumed dead.

The al-Qassam Brigades released a statement saying, "Your prisoners are distributed within the neighborhoods of Gaza City, and we will not be concerned for their lives as long as Netanyahu has decided to kill them," as CNN reported.

The statement continued: "The commencement of this criminal operation and its expansion means that you will not receive any prisoner, neither alive nor dead, and their fate will be the same as that of (Ron Arad)."

During a ceasefire period between January and March 2024, Hamas had released 30 hostages - including 20 Israeli civilians, five soldiers, and five Thai nationals. They also returned the bodies of eight Israeli captives who had been killed. In May, an American-Israeli hostage was released as a "gesture" toward the United States.

In exchange for these releases, Israel freed 2,000 prisoners and detainees.

Meanwhile, Israeli strikes overnight killed at least 14 people in Gaza City, according to health officials, as Israel intensifies its offensive and urges Palestinian civilians to evacuate the area.

These strikes come amid growing frustration from Western countries regarding the escalating Gaza conflict, with some nations planning to recognize Palestinian statehood at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly next week.

The latest Israeli military operation, which began this week, further escalates the regional conflict and likely diminishes prospects for achieving a ceasefire agreement in the near future.