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.
02:07
Tuk-tuk campaign in Bangkok calls for release of Gaza hostages
Tuk-tuk campaign in Bangkok calls for release of Gaza hostages
“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”.
“This is not surprising because everything that our people are suffering from, be it hunger, thirst and lack of medical help, is also what the enemy prisoners are suffering from.”
This week, mediators from the United States, Qatar and Egypt gathered in Cairo to try to broker a deal to halt the fighting and secure the release of the remaining hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday he believed a deal was still “possible” but there has been no public announcement of any breakthrough.
Israel raids main Gaza hospital, saying hostages there, as Rafah concerns grow
Israel raids main Gaza hospital, saying hostages there, as Rafah concerns grow
Abu Obeida said it was Israel’s military campaign in the Gaza Strip that was responsible for the situation.
“Time is running out fast,” he said.
“We warned dozens of times about the dangers to which their hostages are being exposed. We didn’t want the situation to reach this stage, but [Israel’s] leadership ignored us,” he said.
“For months, we tried to protect and care for the lives of these hostages, as it is our top humanitarian goal to liberate our own prisoners and to realise the legitimate rights of our people.”
03:05
Four-year old American girl freed as Hamas and Israel release hostages under a 4-day truce
Four-year old American girl freed as Hamas and Israel release hostages under a 4-day truce
Israel’s chief military spokesman, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, said on Tuesday that 31 of the remaining hostages held by Hamas in Gaza were dead. Israel has said 136 hostages are still being held in Gaza.
Three hostages were mistakenly killed by Israeli soldiers in December, while some have been rescued in military operations.
Several hostages among those still captive in Gaza are suffering from various illnesses and attempts have been made to supply medicines to them.
The Palestinian Prisoners Club, which documents and cares for all Palestinian detainees, issued a statement on Tuesday saying the number of Palestinians who have been arrested since October 7 had reached 7,000.
Additional reporting by Agence France-Presse