Hamas announces death of British captive in Gaza following Israeli airstrike

CAIRO – 11 May 2024: Hamas has confirmed the death of Nadav Popplewell, a British-Israeli captive who was taken by the group's fighters in October, after sustaining injuries in an Israeli airstrike.

A short video released by Hamas's Qassam Brigades showed Popplewell, 51, stating that he resided in Kibbutz Nirim in southern Israel prior to being captured.

On October 7, Hamas captured over 250 individuals from Israel and brought them to the Gaza Strip.

However, as part of a prisoner exchange agreement brokered by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, more than 100 captives were returned in November in exchange for a larger number of Palestinian prisoners.

Since then, these three countries have been working to secure a new ceasefire that would facilitate the release of captives, allow for increased aid delivery to the war-torn region, and establish a sustainable truce.

Last week, Hamas approved a ceasefire proposal put forward by Egypt and Qatar, which included a prisoner exchange. However, Israel has consistently rejected these proposals, maintaining that they do not meet its conditions for a ceasefire.

In addition, Israel has escalated the conflict in Gaza, which has now lasted over seven months, by launching an offensive in Rafah city despite global warnings of grave humanitarian consequences.

The southern city of Rafah is currently home to about 1.4 million Palestinians, most of whom have been displaced by the war.

Israeli forces have taken control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing between Sinai and Gaza, obstructing the main route for humanitarian aid despite the imminent threat of famine in the region.

The latest round of talks in Cairo, which involved mediators from Egypt, Qatar, the United States, Israel, and Hamas, concluded last week without reaching a deal.

The key points of contention between Hamas and Israel persist, with Hamas insisting on a permanent cessation of hostilities, while Israel rejects this demand.

The Israeli government instead seeks a period of truce that includes the release of its surviving hostages from Gaza, without signifying an end to the conflict with Hamas.