Half of living Israeli hostages in evacuation areas: Hamas

IANS April 5, 2025 128 views

The ongoing Gaza conflict has escalated with Hamas claiming half of the living Israeli hostages are in areas marked for evacuation. Hamas spokesperson Abu Obeida warned that the hostages' lives are at risk and called for immediate serious negotiations. The Israeli military has resumed aggressive operations after ending a two-month ceasefire on March 18. UN reports indicate over 280,000 people have been displaced in the past two weeks, highlighting the humanitarian crisis.

"Time is running out" - Abu Obeida, Al-Qassam Brigades Spokesperson
Gaza, April 5: Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, said that half of the living Israeli hostages are in areas that Israel has issued evacuation orders recently.

Key Points

1

Hamas refuses to relocate hostages from evacuation areas

2

Israeli military enters new offensive stage

3

UN reports massive displacement in Gaza Strip

In a press statement, Abu Obeida, spokesperson for the al-Qassam Brigade, said the armed wing decided not to relocate the hostages from these areas but to keep them under strict security measures, warning that their lives are at risk, Xinhua news agency reported.

"If Israel is concerned about the lives of these hostages, it must immediately engage in serious negotiations to secure their evacuation or release," Obeida said, adding that "time is running out."

He also stated that the Israeli government bears full responsibility for the hostages' fate.

Had Israel adhered to the ceasefire agreement signed in January, most of the hostages "would be in their homes today rather than facing danger," he said.

Israel ended a two-month ceasefire with Hamas on March 18 and resumed deadly air and ground assaults on the Palestinian enclave.

On Thursday, Israeli Defense Forces spokesman Effie Defrin said the army had entered "a new stage" in its offensive in Gaza.

The renewed Israeli attacks have so far killed at least 1,249 Palestinians and injured 3,022 others, Gaza health authorities said Friday.

Meanwhile, a UN report said Friday that since March 18, the Israeli military has issued 13 displacement orders, putting some 126.6 square km, or 35 per cent of the Gaza Strip, under active displacement orders.

Over 280,000 people have been displaced in the past two weeks, it said.

Reader Comments

S
Sarah K.
This situation is heartbreaking for everyone involved. Both sides need to come back to the negotiating table ASAP before more innocent lives are lost. The hostages must be priority #1 right now.
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Mike T.
Hamas is clearly using these hostages as bargaining chips. While I understand Israel's security concerns, the constant back-and-forth violence isn't helping anyone. There has to be a better way.
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Amina R.
The numbers of displaced people are staggering 😔 When will this end? Every day more families lose their homes, their loved ones. The international community needs to step up pressure for peace.
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David L.
I think the article could have provided more context about why the ceasefire broke down in March. The timeline feels a bit one-sided without that information.
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Javier S.
"Time is running out" - those words send chills down my spine. Both leaderships need to put aside their egos and work for the people they're supposed to represent. This can't go on forever.
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Elena P.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is reaching catastrophic levels. 280,000 newly displaced in just two weeks? How much more can these people endure? My thoughts are with all civilians caught in this nightmare.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Tags:
Hamas Gaza Conflict Israeli Hostages Al-Qassam Brigades Gaza Evacuation
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