Israel has announced that it is conducting an investigation following the release of photos by Hamas purportedly showing the body of a female hostage in Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated during a cabinet meeting that Israel is unable to verify the authenticity of the images at this time.
Netanyahu expressed solidarity with the family of the alleged hostage, emphasizing the government's commitment to bringing back all hostages, even those who may have died. He mentioned that Israel is in contact with the family and has issued relevant notices to all families affected by the situation.
Hamas' military wing claimed that the female hostage was killed in an area of northern Gaza under Israeli aggression. However, Israel has not provided any official comments on the circumstances surrounding the reported death.
Since the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, over 250 people were taken hostage, with approximately 1,200 fatalities. While some hostages have been rescued, more than 100 were released in November 2023 as part of a temporary hostage-and-ceasefire agreement. Currently, 101 hostages remain in Gaza, with Israeli authorities estimating that 97 of them were taken on October 7.
Israel has accused Hamas of using footage and information about the hostages as a form of psychological warfare to pressure the government into agreeing to a ceasefire deal. The ongoing situation has led to frequent protests across Israel, demanding the release of the hostages.
Recent developments saw the International Criminal Court issuing a warrant for Netanyahu's arrest, further escalating the pressure on the Israeli government. Negotiations for a ceasefire-for-hostages deal in Gaza have stalled, with Qatar suspending its role as a mediator due to a lack of progress and good faith from both sides.
