Hamas warns of hostage risks amid continued Israeli strikes

Hamas’s armed wing, the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, has raised alarms over Israel’s ongoing airstrikes and shelling in Gaza, warning that these actions threaten the safety of hostages designated for release under a new ceasefire agreement.

In a statement on Telegram, the group emphasized, “Any aggression and shelling at this stage by the enemy could turn the freedom of a prisoner into a tragedy,” referring to Israeli hostages held since the October 7 attack that ignited the current conflict.

Abu Obeida, the group’s spokesperson, indicated that an Israeli strike had hit a location where one of the women slated for release in the initial phase of the ceasefire was believed to be present.

This warning follows a ceasefire and hostage release agreement announced by mediators from Qatar and the United States on Wednesday. Despite this, Gaza’s civil defense agency reported an increase in Israeli strikes, leading to at least 80 casualties and hundreds injured.

Civil defense spokesman Mahmud Bassal confirmed the recovery of five children’s bodies from a strike in Jabalia. The Israeli military stated it had targeted “approximately 50 terror sites across the Gaza Strip” since late Wednesday.

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