GAZA – The armed wing of Hamas, the Qassam Brigades, announced that the fate of an Israeli-American hostage remains unknown after the body of the guard responsible for him was found following recent Israeli airstrikes, reported by Al Jazeera News. This has raised serious concerns about the safety of remaining hostages still held in Gaza.
Meanwhile, Gaza’s Health Ministry reported that more than 92 people have been killed in Israeli air raids over the last 48 hours alone. The ongoing war continues to take a heavy toll on civilians, with entire families among the dead.
Since the war began on October 7, 2023, after Hamas launched a deadly surprise attack on southern Israel, the numbers have continued to rise. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, at least 51,065 Palestinians have been killed and over 116,500 injured. However, Gaza’s Government Media Office puts the death toll even higher—more than 61,700—stating that many people are still missing under the rubble and are presumed dead.
On the Israeli side, 1,139 people were killed during the October 7 attack, and over 200 were taken hostage. While some hostages have been released in previous ceasefire deals, many are still believed to be in captivity.
As the humanitarian crisis deepens, the United Nations’ World Food Programme has issued a dire warning: “Gaza needs food now.” With most of the population displaced and food supplies running out, hundreds of thousands are at serious risk of hunger.
Aid agencies are calling for urgent international action to prevent further loss of life and to bring humanitarian relief to the people of Gaza.
