Israeli Army: Our Operations in Gaza Likely Led to Hamas Killing 6 Hostages

The Israeli army announced on Tuesday, December 25, that it has concluded that its military operations in southern Gaza last summer likely resulted in the killing of six hostages by Hamas militants. According to the statement, although the Israeli ground operations in Gaza are 'gradual and cautious,' investigations indicate that while Israeli forces were engaged in operations in Tel al-Sultan, these six hostages were shot and killed by Hamas terrorists. In late August, Israeli soldiers found the bodies of the six hostages in an underground tunnel in the city of Rafah. The army emphasized at that time that these hostages were killed just before Israeli soldiers reached them. According to Israeli officials, the six hostages, named Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Hersh Goldberg-Pollin, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, and Ori Danino, were each 'executed' with a bullet to the head. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Monday, December 24, during a speech in the Knesset, that 'progress' has been made in ongoing negotiations for the release of other hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. Netanyahu added, 'I want to cautiously say that progress has been made, and we will not stop our efforts until all hostages are brought home, but we cannot disclose the details of the actions taken.' The last round of negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza between the Israeli army and Hamas, as well as the release of hostages held by this Iranian-backed Palestinian group, was held in late August in Doha, Qatar, which ended 'without results.' The war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza began when the militant group's forces and their allies attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing over 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 250 others hostage. Of the 250 hostages, 105 were released during a one-week pause in November 2023; however, 96 hostages remain captive. According to some reports, the number of living hostages held by Hamas is now less than 33. Donald Trump, the elected President of the United States, has warned twice that if Hamas does not release its hostages by January 20 (February 1), the start of his presidency, it will 'pay a heavy price.'