Israel PM ‘unsure’ over situation of three Gaza hostages

Israel’s prime minister has stated there’s “uncertainty” in regards to the situation of three of 24 hostages beforehand believed to be alive in Hamas captivity in Gaza.

Benjamin Netanyahu stated he knew “with certainty” that 21 hostages had been alive however the standing of “three extra” was unclear.

His feedback got here after US President Donald Trump stated 24 hostages had been alive per week in the past however the determine was now 21. He made the feedback whereas talking at an occasion on the White Home on Tuesday and didn’t cite a supply or present additional particulars.

The Hostages and Lacking Households Discussion board had demanded info.

The discussion board additionally urged Netanyahu to halt his plans to increase Israel’s offensive in Gaza and to as an alternative agree a take care of Hamas to return its remaining 59 dwelling and lifeless hostages.

A spokesperson referred to as on the prime minister “to cease the warfare till the return of the final abductee”, including: “That is essentially the most pressing and essential nationwide activity.”

Talking in a video on Wednesday following Trump’s remarks, Netanyahu stated: “We all know with certainty that 21 hostages are alive. There are three extra relating to whom there’s uncertainty about whether or not they’re alive.”

Final week, Netanyahu stated rescuing hostages was a “essential objective” of the warfare, however that “the supreme objective is to realize victory over our enemies”.

Israel’s chief army spokesman Brig-Gen Effie Defrin appeared to contradict the prime minister on Monday when he said: “The target of the operation is the return of our hostages, the dismantling and decisive defeat of the Hamas regime.”

Regardless of that assertion, Israel’s Haaretz newspaper studies that the army’s chief of employees, Lt Gen Eyal Zamir, offered operational orders to commanders this week that put “returning the hostages” backside of a six-point record, with “defeating Hamas” on the prime.

Israeli officers have stated the plans for the expanded offensive embrace seizing the entire territory indefinitely, forcibly displacing Palestinians to the south, and taking up assist distribution with non-public corporations regardless of protests from the UN and its humanitarian companions.

About 1,200 individuals had been killed and 251 others had been taken hostage in the course of the Hamas-led assaults on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, which triggered the Gaza warfare.

One other 4 individuals, two of them lifeless, had been already being held captive in Gaza earlier than the battle.

Up to now, Israel has secured the return of 196 hostages, 147 of them alive, principally via two non permanent ceasefire offers with Hamas.

No less than 52,653 individuals have been killed in Gaza in the course of the warfare, in keeping with the territory’s Hamas-run well being ministry.

Greater than 2,500 have died since Israel ended a two-month ceasefire on 18 March and resumed its offensive, saying it needed to place strain on Hamas to launch hostages.

Israel has additionally blocked all deliveries of humanitarian assist and different provides for 9 weeks, which the UN says has triggered extreme shortages of meals, drugs and gas.