Hamas releases additional 2 hostages, bringing total to 4

New Delhi: Hamas released two more hostages, Nurit Cooper and Yocheved Lifshitz, increasing the total number of hostages freed by the group to four. Last Friday, the American-Israeli mother-daughter pair, Judith and Natalie Raanan, were also released.

This recent release occurred on Monday night, facilitated by mediation efforts involving Egypt and Qatar, similar to the previous hostage release, which was negotiated through Qatari mediation. The International Committee of the Red Cross played a crucial role in coordinating the transfer of these hostages.

A video released by the al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s military arm, captured the emotional moment when Nurit Cooper and Yocheved Lifshitz were released. The two elderly women were handed over to representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross in the darkness of the night.

In a press conference, Lifschitz described their captivity, stating they were held in tunnels and treated well and provided the same food as their Hamas captors, including white cheese and cucumber. They slept on mattresses on the floor in the tunnels beneath Gaza, with a paramedic visiting every two to three days. While Nurit Cooper and Yocheved Lifshitz have been released, their husbands, along with over 200 other hostages, remain in captivity.

Sharone Lifshitz, the daughter of one of the hostages, said to the media is committed to securing the release of her father and the other hostages still held in Gaza. She stressed the importance of their safe return, stating, “While I cannot express the relief of knowing that my mother is now safe, my focus remains on securing the release of my father and the roughly 200 innocent individuals who are still being held in Gaza.” Sharone Lifschitz further shed light on what she described as a “huge network” of underground tunnels run by Hamas, likening it to a “spider’s web.”

The release of these hostages provides insight into the ongoing situation in the region. Israel reports that 222 individuals are still being held by Hamas following their attack on Israel on October 7th. International efforts to secure the release of all hostages continue to be a top priority.

Israel also continued its heavy bombing of Gaza overnight, with the Hamas-run health ministry reporting nearly 5,800 casualties since October 7th. Over 1,400  Israelis were killed by Hamas militants who targeted communities near the border on October 7.

Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza Deepens as Displaced Residents Struggle

In Gaza, lengthy queues have formed outside aid agencies, which are distributing limited supplies of food and water to residents. Most families currently reside in overcrowded rooms and tents, often sharing cramped spaces with multiple households. The Israeli strike in the northern part of the territory has resulted in 1.1 million Gazans being internally displaced. Many who have lost their homes due to airstrikes now find themselves in makeshift tented colonies, sharing bedding, food, and water.

These displaced Gazans have been living in the southern part of Gaza for nearly two weeks, their lives upended and personal hygiene compromised due to limited access to clothing and essential everyday items. Parents are understandably concerned for their children’s safety and take every possible precaution to keep them away from danger zones.

The airstrikes, which continue in both the northern and southern parts of Gaza, have led to conflicting claims. Israel maintains that their actions are intelligence-led and primarily target military objectives. Overnight, Israeli authorities announced the elimination of some Hamas leaders. However, according to Palestinian authorities in Gaza, in the last 24 hours, hundreds of Palestinian civilians have also lost their lives. The ongoing conflict has now claimed the lives of more than 5,000 people in just over two weeks.

While the focus remains on these efforts to secure the release of all hostages, the conflict continues. Israel’s ongoing bombing campaign in Gaza and the significant loss of life on both sides serve as a stark reminder of the volatile and precarious situation in the region. The need for a peaceful resolution and an end to hostilities is more urgent than ever, as the toll on innocent civilians continues to mount.

French President Arrives in Israel to Show Support and Address Hostage Crisis

French President Emmanuel Macron visited Israel on Tuesday, becoming the latest European leader to express solidarity with the nation and join international efforts to secure the release of hostages held in the ongoing crisis.

During his visit, President Macron, standing alongside Israel’s President Isaac Herzog, emphasised that the top priority in the conflict should be to ensure the safe return of all hostages. He underlined that Israel’s mission was to combat Hamas while avoiding an escalation of the conflict.

President Macron’s arrival in Tel Aviv was marked by meetings with Israeli-French citizens who have tragically lost loved ones and the families of individuals held hostage. In a press conference held with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he stated that terrorism was a “common enemy” for both Israel and France, conveying a message of solidarity and support. He noted that there are currently nine French nationals either missing or held hostage in the region.

WHO Urges Immediate Delivery of Medical Supplies to Gaza

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued an urgent appeal for delivering medical supplies to hospitals in Gaza, with a particular focus on the northern region, which remains underserved. Dr Rick Brennan, who’s regional emergencies director for the eastern Mediterranean region, stated that despite efforts to provide essential medical resources to three key hospitals in southern Gaza, the north still lacks these critical supplies, including fuel.

With one-third of Gaza’s hospitals now non-operational, the healthcare system is under immense strain as it grapples with the ongoing medical crisis. Dr. Brennan stressed the need for a sustained, scaled-up, and protected humanitarian operation to address this dire situation. The WHO is calling on all stakeholders to facilitate the delivery of essential medical aid to mitigate the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe.

Amid this crisis, Israel has alleged that Hamas is hoarding fuel in Gaza, a vital resource for hospitals and civilians relying on generators for power. The Israeli military has presented satellite imagery on social media, purporting to show 12 Hamas-operated fuel tanks near the Egyptian border.

Although humanitarian aid, such as food and water, has entered Gaza from Egypt via trucks, Israel has restricted the entry of fuel, citing concerns that it may be seized by Hamas. It is worth noting that before the recent events, Israel supplied a significant portion of Gaza’s electricity via an undersea cable, which has since been shut or rationed.