Hamas Releases ‘Farewell Picture’ of 48 Captives Amid Israel’s Destruction of Gaza City
The armed wing of Hamas, the Qassam Brigades, has published what it calls a “farewell picture” of 48 Israeli captives held across Gaza, coinciding with intensified Israeli military operations targeting Gaza City’s largest urban centre.
The image, a compilation featuring both living and deceased captives, references the case of Ron Arad, an Israeli air force captain who went missing in Lebanon in 1986, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding the fate of the hostages.
Accompanying the picture was a statement criticizing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s refusal to negotiate and Israeli army chief Eyal Zamir’s leadership of escalating ground and air assaults despite his previously voiced reservations.
Israeli officials estimate that about 20 captives remain alive, but concerns are high for their safety amid continued bombings. Hamas has warned that the intensifying attacks and ground invasion are placing the captives’ lives at extreme risk, with some reportedly killed by Israeli strikes. The captives are said to be scattered in various neighbourhoods throughout Gaza City.
This warning came as thousands of Israelis prepared to protest in Tel Aviv and other cities, demanding an immediate end to the war and the safe return of all hostages.
Earlier this month, Hamas released videos of several captives, highlighting their dire conditions and sparking outrage among families, Israeli government officials, and international allies.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in devastating casualties in Gaza, with the Palestinian Health Ministry reporting over 65,000 Palestinians killed and more than 166,000 injured since October 2023. The humanitarian crisis worsens as Israel continues its aggressive military campaign and blockade of Gaza.
