Hamas says Gaza captives will return ‘in coffins’ if Israel continues raids
Al Jazeera
Qassam Brigades issues statement a day after the bodies of six captives are recovered from a Gaza tunnel by Israel.
The armed wing of the Palestinian group Hamas says captives held in Gaza would return to Israel “in coffins” if Israeli military pressure continues, warning that “new instructions” had been given to its fighters guarding the captives in case Israeli troops approach.
“[Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu’s insistence on freeing the captives through military pressure instead of reaching a deal means they will go back to their families in coffins. Their families have to choose between receiving them dead or alive,” Abu Obeida, spokesman for the Qassam Brigades, said in a statement on Monday, two days after the bodies of six captives were recovered by Israel.
“Netanyahu and the army are fully responsible for the death of the captives after they intentionally hindered any prisoners’ exchange deal,” it said.
Ukrainian source reportedly says the killing ‘was a ‘special operation” by Ukraine’s SBU security service.
Russia and North Korea have not commented on Ukraine’s claim some 30 North Korean troops have been killed or injured.
Israel’s military says it is targeting military sites in Syria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad.
Ahmed Allouh is the third journalist killed in Gaza in the last 24 hours.
Remaining displaced, many women and children, reportedly being forced out of Khalil Oweida School by Israeli forces.
Israel launches deadly strikes across the Gaza Strip amid regional diplomatic push for ceasefire and captives deal.
Two separate reports by media freedom organisations found Israel killed an unprecedented number of journalists.
Tomb of Hafez al-Assad, father of removed president, torched as new PM pledges peace after 13 years of war.
Health Ministry warns patients could die from lack of food, water as UN official briefs Security Council on conditions.
As Syria’s longtime leader gets shelter in Moscow, analysts say Russia’s Middle East ambitions are likely to continue.
In 2024, about half of Syria’s registered refugees live in Turkiye, followed by Lebanon, Germany, Jordan and Iraq.