A Hamas official has delivered a stern message to Israel, stating that no further hostage releases will occur unless vital medical supplies and fuel are allowed into the besieged Gaza Strip. This warning comes after the recent release of two Israeli women held captive by Hamas, following the release of two U.S. nationals last Friday.
The total number of hostages being held stands at over 220, a fact that highlights the gravity of the situation in Gaza.
Osama Hamdan, a Hamas politburo member and representative in Lebanon, explained the group’s position. “For humanitarian reasons, we have released four hostages without conditions,” he said. “But if anyone seeks to have more releases, we insist that the international community exerts more pressure on Israel to open the Rafah crossing and allow fuel and medical supplies to enter Gaza.”
Hamdan, who is closely involved in the negotiations, emphasized that it is the basic right of the Palestinian people to receive necessary medical treatment, especially considering the daily Israeli air raids they endure. He added, “The people in Gaza have the right to the minimum of humanitarian needs, which is to be able to be treated for the wounds Israel is inflicting on them through airstrikes. We need Israel to stop the raids so that we can secure the release of those who have been taken.”
The hostage crisis began on October 7, when gunmen from Hamas carried out a terrorist attack on Israeli communities, resulting in the capture of at least 222 individuals. The attacks near the Gaza border caused over 1,400 casualties and sent shockwaves throughout the country.
In response, Israel launched a series of air bombardments on Gaza. According to the Hamas-run Health Ministry, these airstrikes have led to the deaths of over 5,000 people. However, it should be noted that these figures cannot be independently verified.
Hamas is recognized as a terrorist organization by both the United States and the European Union. Since the attacks, Israel has enforced a complete siege on the coastal Palestinian Territory, preventing the entry of essential supplies such as food, water, and fuel. The only relief that reaches Gaza’s population of around 2.2 million people is in the form of aid trucks passing through the Rafah border from Egypt.
It remains to be seen how the situation will unfold, but one thing is clear: the urgency for the international community to intervene and advocate for the basic needs of the people of Gaza is greater than ever.
