Hamas says Israeli hostages in Gaza have suffered many losses
- The remaining captives face ‘extremely difficult conditions’ and are struggling to stay alive, a spokesman for the group’s armed wing says
- Mediators from the US, Qatar and Egypt have been trying to broker a deal to halt the fighting and secure the release of the remaining hostages
Hamas’ armed wing said on Friday that Israelis taken hostage by the militants on October 7 had suffered many losses and that those that were alive were living in extremely difficult conditions.
Hamas militants killed 1,200 people in southern Israel and abducted at least 250 in their October incursion, according to Israeli tallies.
Israel has responded with a military assault on the Gaza Strip that has killed more than 28,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
During a week-long truce in late November, Hamas freed more than 100 Israeli and foreign hostages in exchange for Israel releasing about 240 Palestinian prisoners.
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“Losses amongst [Israeli hostages] have become many while other hostages live in extremely difficult conditions,” Hamas’ armed wing spokesman Abu Obeida said in an audio message, adding that many were wounded and sick captives were “struggling to stay alive”.
