Israeli Military Confirms Hostage Deaths in Gaza as Conflict Escalates
Israeli military authorities have confirmed that the remains of Hamza Ziyadne, a hostage killed in Gaza, were identified following forensic tests. Hamza was the son of Youssef Ziyadne, whose body was also found in an underground tunnel near Rafah. Both father and son were taken hostage by Hamas militants alongside two siblings.
The bodies of Hamza and Youssef were located close to armed guards affiliated with Hamas or other Palestinian militant groups. The Israeli military suspects they were killed in one of its airstrikes, as reported by Haaretz, though no official comment has been made regarding the exact cause of their deaths.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces continue their military campaign in Gaza. On Friday, airstrikes reportedly killed at least 15 people, including a journalist from Al-Ghad TV, who was covering an incident at the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza. Palestinian medics have highlighted the escalating death toll as strikes intensify, but there has been no immediate response from the Israeli military about the latest events.
Efforts to mediate a ceasefire and secure the release of remaining hostages are ongoing, with Qatar, the United States, and Egypt leading negotiations. These talks are under pressure to achieve progress before January 20, when President-elect Donald Trump is set to take office. Hamas has stated via Qatar’s Al-Jazeera network that most hostages in northern Gaza are now unaccounted for due to the heavy bombardment.
The Hostages and Missing Family Forum, representing families of the captives, criticized the Israeli government for its handling of the situation, arguing that earlier agreements could have saved lives. Hamas insists that hostages will only be released if Israel withdraws its forces and ends the war. However, Israel maintains it will not halt its operations until Hamas is dismantled and all hostages are freed.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has instructed the military to prepare a comprehensive strategy for defeating Hamas entirely if hostages are not released before the U.S. presidential inauguration. He emphasized the urgency of avoiding prolonged conflict while ensuring the safety of the captives.
The conflict, which began in October 2023 following a Hamas attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and resulted in over 250 hostages, has led to devastating consequences for Gaza. According to Palestinian health officials, over 46,000 people have died, and countless others have been displaced amid widespread destruction. Humanitarian agencies warn of severe shortages of essential supplies, including food and medicine, for Gaza’s beleaguered population.
As the situation remains dire, calls for an end to the hostilities and the safe return of hostages continue to grow louder.
