Hamas announces death of Israeli captive in northern Gaza amid Israeli strikes

CAIRO – 23 November 2024: Hamas announced on Saturday the killing of an Israeli captive held by the group’s military wing in northern Gaza, blaming the Israeli government for the death of their captives due to their ongoing attacks on the enclave.

"After the resumption of communication, which had been interrupted for weeks, with fighters responsible for protecting the enemy's prisoners, it was revealed that one of the female captives was killed in an area under Zionist aggression in northern Gaza," said Abu Obaida, the spokesman of Hamas’s military wing.

He warned that the danger "still looms over the life of another female captive who was with her."

The Israeli military has confirmed that they are investigating the situation.

Abu Obaida stated that Israel must prepare to address the issue of its missing captives' bodies, noting that the extensive destruction in the enclave and the death of some of the captors led to the disappearance of the bodies of some captives.

Abu Obaida held Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom he described as a war criminal, along with his government and military leaders, fully responsible for the lives of their captives.

He stated that they "insist on causing (the captives’) suffering and death."

Abu Obeida did not provide additional details about the identity of the captive or the circumstances surrounding her death.

During the Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, a total of 251 individuals were taken as captives, including Israeli soldiers and civilians as well as foreign nationals.

Presently, 97 individuals are still held in Gaza, with 34 confirmed deceased by the Israeli army.

Before the recent announcement by Abu Obaida, ten female captives, including five soldiers, were believed to be alive in captivity, as per an AFP report.

During a one-week ceasefire in November of the previous year, 105 captives were released, including 80 Israelis, who were exchanged for 240 Palestinian prisoners.

The Israeli government is facing mounting public pressure to negotiate a new agreement that would secure the release of the remaining hostages while ensuring their safety.

The war in Gaza has been ongoing for nearly 14 months, with Israeli forces killing 44,176 Palestinians to date and injuring nearly 104,500 others to date, according to the health ministry in Gaza.

The war has also devastated critical infrastructure and pushed the enclave toward the brink of famine.