The highest General of Israel has issued a strict warning that military operations in Gaza intensify “without rest” if the ongoing negotiations cannot quickly ensure the release of hostages organized in the Palestinian territory.
This comes against the background of increasing pressure, internationally and in the domestic market, including many families to continue trying to secure a ceasefire in almost 22 months of conflict, AFP reported.
Ultimatum in hostage negotiations
Army head of the staff Lieutenant General Eyal said that the critical intersection is approaching when it comes to the fate of the hostage.
“I estimate that in the coming days we will know whether we can reach an agreement to release our hostages,” said Moder, according to a military statement and added, “If not, the fight will continue without rest.”
His remarks come as negotiations, mediated by the United States, Egypt and Qatar, to ensure a ceasefire, last month stopped, leading to the challenges of Israel to a stricter military action.
Hostage crisis
Shots issued by the Israeli army have shown that Moder has met soldiers and officers in the command center, the press agency reported.
Of the 251 individuals kidnapped during Hamas’s attack in October 2023 on Israel, according to the army, it is still believed to be in Gaza, while 27 of them are dead.
This crisis was reinforced this week by the release of two videos by Palestinian armed groups that showed the hostages that looked exterminated and weak.
Israeli attitude towards accusations of limiting assistance
Meanwhile, the Agency for Help warned that the Gaza populations are facing a catastrophic famine that causes Israeli aid restrictions.
However, the head refused these accusations of deliberate starvation, the report said.
“The current campaign of false accusations of deliberate starvation is a deliberate, timed and deceptive attempt to accuse IDF (army), moral army, war crimes,” he said, “Those who are responsible for killing and suffering the population in Gaza Strip Hamas.”
The number of deaths so far
The conflict led to a significant loss of life on both sides. Hamas’s attack 2023 resulted in the death of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to data compiled by B Byaf.
Since the group units were sent to Gaza, 898 Israeli soldiers have also been killed, according to the army.
The Israeli campaign in Gaza killed at least 60,332 people in Gaza, mostly civilians, according to data from the Ministry of Health, Hamas, which the UN considered reliable.
(Tagstotranslate) Israeli military operation
