Hamas Claims 13 Prisoners Killed in Israeli Air Raids on Gaza
Hamas’s Qassam Brigades say 13 captives, including foreigners, have been killed in Israeli air strikes across Gaza in the last 24 hours. The militants reported the deaths happened in five separate locations hit by Israeli fighter jets.
According to Hamas, six prisoners died in air raids on two northern Gaza sites, while seven more were killed in strikes hitting three other spots in the Gaza district.
Hamas Vows to Stand Firm Amid Calls to Evacuate
Basem Naim, head of Hamas’s political bureau, declared Palestinians in Gaza won’t abandon their homes despite Israel ordering over a million civilians to flee northern Gaza.
“We have two options: to defeat this occupation or to die in our homes,” Naim said, underscoring their fierce resistance.
Naim blamed the recent attacks on the “suffocating siege” Gaza has suffered for 17 years, describing the territory as an “open-air prison.” He insisted the current fighting was an act of self-defence, aimed at preserving Palestinian existence and demanding an end to Israeli occupation—the root of regional instability.
Egypt Boosts Border Security, Warns Israel
Egypt has ramped up security along its Gaza borders, deploying thousands of troops to prevent breaches amid rising tensions. A senior Egyptian security official warned that a planned Israeli ground invasion of Gaza could be a “grave mistake.”
Egypt has proposed creating “safe zones” inside Gaza and delivering aid through the Rafah crossing. While this plan has backing from some Western nations, Israel has yet to respond.
Massive Pro-Palestinian Protests Rock Iraq and Iran
- Thousands in Baghdad marched, chanting anti-US and anti-Israel slogans. The rally, organised by Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr, showed fierce support for Gaza.
- In Tehran, protesters waved flags for Iran, Palestine, and Hezbollah while burning US and Israeli flags. Similar demonstrations spread across Iranian cities, echoing calls for resistance.
Note: Hamas’s casualty figures have not been independently verified.
