CAIRO: Hamas’ armed wing the Izz el-Deen al-Qassam Brigades has launched two US hostages – a mom and her daughter – “for humanitarian causes” in response to Qatari mediation efforts, its spokesman Abu Ubaida stated in a press release on Friday (Oct 20).
Abu Ubaida stated they launched the residents “for humanitarian causes, and to show to the American folks and the world that the claims made by (President Joe) Biden and his fascist administration are false and baseless”.
Israel responded to the hostage disaster and the Oct 7 rampage by Hamas gunmen which killed 1,400 Israelis by pounding Gaza with air strikes, killing greater than 4,000 folks, and has stated it can act to free the hostages whereas wiping out Hamas.
It amassed tanks and troops close to the perimeter of the enclave for an anticipated floor invasion, calling on Palestinians to evacuate the north of Gaza, the place it says Hamas is dug in.
Israel has additionally stated that there will likely be no finish to its full blockade of the enclave except Israeli hostages are freed.
Hamas says it has 200 hostages and that fifty extra are held by different armed teams within the enclave. It stated greater than 20 hostages have been killed by Israeli air strikes, however has not given any additional particulars.