On the 24th, the Israeli military dropped leaflets in the northern Gaza Strip requesting information about Israeli and foreign hostages kidnapped and taken by Hamas. They are emphasizing that they will provide personal protection and compensation.
“If you want to live in peace and have a better future for your children, please take immediate humanitarian action and provide valuable, verified information about the hostages being held in Gaza,” the handout, written in Arabic, says.
“The Israeli military will do its utmost to ensure that you and your family are safe, and you will receive financial compensation. “We guarantee you complete confidentiality.”
Earlier, Major General Daniel Hagary, chief spokesman for the IDF, announced plans to distribute such leaflets on social media.
The number of hostages kidnapped by Hamas on the 7th, which was initially estimated to be up to 150, was announced by the military as 222 on the 23rd as additional foreigners and dual citizens were identified in addition to Israeli citizens. It appears that the number of foreign national hostages, including kibbutz seasonal workers and tourists, is approaching 100.
The Hamas organization initially threatened, without warning, that it would kill the hostages one by one if Israel carried out retaliatory airstrikes. Recently, Israel said that it would release 50 hostages if fuel was allowed to enter Gaza, but Israel countered that fuel would only come in if all were released.
The United States is known to have urged Israel to postpone the start of the ground war in order to release hostages and expand the import of relief goods. There are reports that there is a conflict within Israel, with Prime Minister Netanyahu attempting to release more hostages and delaying ground combat, saying the airstrikes phase is not yet complete, while the military is demanding immediate execution.
On the night of the 20th (Friday), two American hostages, a mother and daughter, were released for the first time, and on the night of the 23rd (Monday), two elderly Israeli women were released.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.