The Palestinian group has reportedly conveyed to intermediaries its intention to release certain foreign individuals who are being held captive in Gaza.
The armed wing of the Palestinian group Hamas has said that it will release some foreign hostages from Gaza in the coming days, without offering more specifics.
Qassam Brigades spokesman Abu Obeida announced the decision in a video address on Tuesday, in which he also promised to turn Gaza into a “graveyard” and a “quagmire” for Israeli forces amid increased ground operations.
The Palestinian group has informed intermediaries that they plan to release a specific number of foreigners in the coming days.
More than 230 people, including Israeli soldiers, civilians, and foreigners from various countries, were taken captive by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups during a violent incursion into Israel on October 7. Israeli authorities claim that this assault resulted in the deaths of over 1,400 people, with the majority of them being civilians. The Palestinian group
Hamas and Islamic Jihad have been accused of committing war crimes by holding numerous Israelis and others as hostages in Gaza, as stated by Human Rights Watch. The Israeli government, along with human rights groups and the United Nations, has called for the immediate release of these hostages.
Up to this point, five hostages have been released, primarily through diplomatic negotiations with the aid of countries like Qatar and Egypt. Additionally, one hostage was freed following a ground raid conducted by Israeli forces inside Gaza.
On Tuesday, families of those who lost loved ones during the events on October 7 called upon the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate the killings and abductions. It’s important to note that Israel does not officially recognize the jurisdiction of the ICC.
Tel Aviv-based international lawyer Yael Vias Gvirsman, representing the families of more than 34 victims, filed an “article 15 communication” with the ICC, urging ICC prosecutor Karim Khan to focus an ongoing investigation into alleged crimes within its jurisdiction on the Hamas attack.