Hamas Threatens to Execute Israeli Captives Amid Gaza Airstrikes
Deadly Warning from Hamas’ Qassam Brigades
The conflict in Gaza just took a chilling turn. The Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s militant wing, have threatened to kill Israeli captives if Israel keeps bombing civilian areas in Gaza. Spokesman Abu Obeida warned any strike on innocent people “without warning” would lead to “regretful executions” of hostages. This grim ultimatum comes as Israel’s air raids on Gaza continue relentlessly.
Israel Vows to Press On, Captives Be Damned
Meanwhile, the Israeli military has pledged to carry on with its offensive in Gaza, even if Israeli hostages’ lives hang in the balance. The army insists it will launch “powerful and widespread” strikes against Hamas targets but claims it will avoid sites confirmed to hold captives. The brutal message is clear: Israel prioritises crushing Hamas over saving prisoners.
Global Leaders Scramble to Cool Tensions
The international community is now stepping up efforts to prevent further bloodshed. US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan confirmed the US is working with allies to warn against exploiting the crisis. He reinforced President Joe Biden’s full support for Israel and said talks with Israeli officials are ongoing to chart the next moves. The US also aims to find missing American citizens caught in the chaos.
Meanwhile, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has urged restraint, warning Israeli leader Isaac Herzog against indiscriminate attacks in Gaza. Erdogan also reached out to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, stressing Turkey’s push to break the cycle of violence.
Violence Spills Over into West Bank
The unrest isn’t limited to Gaza. West Bank villages near Nablus have seen a spike in settler violence. In Duma, clashes turned deadly after an Israeli soldier shot a Palestinian man during unrest that saw settler mobs torch cars and assault farmers. In nearby Einabus, residents faced live fire and tear gas, forcing 12 people to be evacuated.
Paramedics on the scene have described grim scenes. Mustafa Shehadeh, a medic from the villages south of Nablus, told of settlers attacking the home of Radar Deif, setting fire to the house and his car. When medics tried to help, the Israeli army blocked ambulance access, even as a six-year-old girl with asthma struggled to breathe. Paramedics were pelted with stones while tear gas wrecked havoc on locals, hampering emergency aid efforts.
