Israeli bombing kills 7 hostages amid global cry on Israel to halt killing

The military wing of the Palestinian group Hamas, known as the Qassam Brigades, has reported the deaths of seven captives held in the Gaza Strip as a result of Israel's ongoing bombardment of the besieged enclave.

The spokesperson for the Qassam Brigades, Abu Obeida, conveyed this devastating news on the Telegram app, stating that the deaths were confirmed after weeks of investigations when contact was lost with the fighters holding the captives.

Hamas had seized approximately 250 Israelis and foreigners during its October 7 attacks on southern Israel, and it is now believed that around 130 are still being held captive. The Qassam Brigades did not specify when the seven captives had died, but they did confirm the identities of three of them. The group expressed concerns that the total number of captives killed due to Israeli military operations may have surpassed 70.

Omar Ashour, a professor of security and military studies at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, highlighted the tragic nature of these deaths, suggesting that Israel's government appears to prioritize the destruction of Hamas's armed wing over the safety of captives. Ashour noted that this indicates a failure in Israel's war strategy, with an increasing number of hostages losing their lives over the course of the conflict, now in its 147th day.

Amidst these grim developments, Israeli air strikes on homes in Deir el-Balah and Jabalia have claimed the lives of at least 17 Palestinians, with dozens more wounded. In Deir el-Balah, Israeli jets targeted two houses, resulting in the death of 15 people. Another strike in Jabalia killed two individuals, with the house reportedly sheltering 70 displaced people.

The international community is intensifying pressure on Israel, calling for an urgent investigation and accountability following the tragic incident where over 100 Palestinians in Gaza lost their lives as they gathered around aid trucks. Israel claims that the deaths occurred in a crush or were a result of being run over by aid lorries, but conflicting accounts and eyewitness testimonies suggest otherwise.

During a Qatari-mediated weeklong truce in November, 105 captives were released in exchange for 150 Palestinian women and children held in Israeli prisons, offering a glimmer of hope for resolution amidst the ongoing conflict.

The UK, France, and Germany are among the nations demanding a thorough and independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of civilians seeking aid. The United Nations has expressed deep concern, with a team visiting wounded individuals in Gaza City's al-Shifa hospital reporting a significant number of gunshot wounds, contradicting Israel's account of the incident.

As the world awaits clarity on the facts, international condemnation is mounting, with leaders like Emmanuel Macron expressing deep indignation at the reported targeting of civilians by Israeli soldiers. The German foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, called for a full explanation from the Israeli army, emphasizing the need for accountability.

In the United States, the White House has described the deaths of 112 people seeking food for their families as "tremendously alarming." The State Department spokesperson, Matthew Miller, stated that the U.S. is urgently seeking additional information and pressing for answers from Israel.

Despite these calls for accountability, Palestinian Ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour revealed that the U.S. had blocked a resolution at a closed-door emergency session of the UN Security Council, further deepening the sense of helplessness in the face of ongoing violence.