Five Israeli hostages were found in underground tunnels belonging to Hamas in the Gaza Strip. reported Israel Defense Forces. The IDF carried out operations to maintain control of the Jabaliya camp in the north of the Gaza Strip.
It was reported that three of the five dead were military.
As part of the operation, the IDF discovered a “strategic tunnel network” allegedly used by Hamas as a headquarters. The object was located north of the residential area.
The network consisted of two levels: the first at a depth of 10 meters, the second at a depth of several tens of meters. During the research, weapons and the infrastructure for their production were also found. According to the IDF, the network was connected to a mine leading to the residence of Hamas’ northern brigade commander Ahmed Andour.
The residence was destroyed by the Israeli army.
The circumstances of the hostages’ death will be determined and announced after the examination by forensic experts. On Saturday, December 23, Abu Ubeida, spokesman for Hamas’ military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, said the movement had lost contact with the group responsible for the five Israeli prisoners.
The situation in the Middle East escalated further on October 7, when thousands of armed Hamas supporters entered Israel from the Gaza Strip. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announcedthat the country is at war.
The aim of Israel’s intervention operation was to repel the attack, release more than 200 hostages, including foreigners, and destroy Hamas. In order to achieve this goal, Israel launched major rocket attacks on the Gaza Strip from the first day of the operation. At the same time, the Israeli National Security Council decided to stop the supply of water, food, goods, electricity and fuel to the sector.
27 October Israel announced About the “expansion” of the ground operation in Gaza. November 5, as part of the ground operation of IDF forces surrounded We cut off Gaza city from its food source. 5 December IDF to start The third part of the ground operation took place in the Gaza Strip and surrounded the city of Khan Younis in the south of the strip.
November 22 Israel and Hamas To agree about a humanitarian pause and the release of some hostages. The ceasefire agreement was officially signed on 24 November entry in force and finished On the morning of December 1st. Hamas ceasefire week launched 110 hostages were captured.
Former far-right Israeli National Security Minister Ben-Gvir statedHe said it was not enough to send only “hundreds of tons of explosives” and “not even a gram of humanitarian aid” to Gaza until the civilian hostages were released.