Hamas threatens to 'neutralize' hostages if Israel launches rescue operation

(CLO) Hamas said it had information that Israel was planning a hostage rescue operation, and vowed to "neutralize" the hostages if Israel acted.

According to a statement dated November 22, Hamas asserted that Israel was responsible for the fate of the hostages. The document was said to have been sent to the combat groups by the intelligence unit of the Izz el-Deen al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas' military wing.

A protest calling for the release of hostages in front of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem on October 7, 2024. Photo: AFP) /Menahem Kahana

Hamas also demanded “tightening” the living conditions of the hostages, in line with instructions issued after the Nuseirat attack in June. In the “recommendations” section, the statement asked units to activate “neutralization orders” to respond quickly and forcefully if Israel takes any action.

Israeli media quoted Defense Minister Israel Katz as saying on December 4 that pressure on Hamas is increasing and this time “we can really push for a hostage exchange deal.”

In the operation at Nuseirat camp on June 9, Israel rescued four hostages held by Hamas since October 2023, but the attack left up to 200 Palestinians dead, becoming one of the bloodiest attacks in the conflict.

Israel launched a military operation in Gaza after Hamas attacked Israeli communities on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages.

Since then, Israel's campaign has killed more than 44,500 Palestinians and injured hundreds of thousands more, leveling almost all of Gaza and plunging the remaining 2.2 million people into a dire humanitarian crisis.

Cao Phong (according to Reuters, CNA)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/hamas-doa-se-vo-hieu-hoa-cac-hostages-neu-israel-tien-hanh-giai-cuu-post324247.html