Reports from the military wing of the Palestinian group Hamas indicate that 60 Israelis who were captured during Israeli army operations in the Gaza Strip were later killed. The claim came through a statement attributed to Hamas representatives and cited by RIA News, a Russian news agency that has been monitoring the evolving situation in Gaza and Israel from regional and international angles.
The Hamas statement describes the Israeli bombardment of Gaza beginning on October 7 as resulting in the deaths of more than 60 of their captured adversaries. It adds that after intensive search efforts, the bodies of 23 individuals remain trapped under the rubble, a circumstance the group says is unlikely to change while the current offensive continues to dominate the area. The tone suggests a grim prognosis and emphasizes the persistent danger faced by rescue teams attempting to reach those still unaccounted for.
According to the Israel Defense Forces, the conflict has involved the taking of around 240 hostages, both Israeli citizens and foreign nationals, across the Gaza Strip. The figure reflects the magnitude of the abduction crisis that emerged in the days following the initial violence and has shaped military and diplomatic responses on both sides of the border. The hostage situation has repeatedly been a focal point in discussions about humanitarian corridors, international mediation, and potential exchanges or concessions under different military and political conditions.
Earlier, Hamas had signaled demands tied to the welfare of wounded people and the movement of civilians at the Rafah border crossing, a key gateway at the Egyptian border. Reports indicate the group wanted wounded individuals to be allowed to leave Gaza through Rafah in exchange for assurances regarding the movement of foreigners and other non-Palestinian residents. The negotiations appeared to hinge on the evolving security and humanitarian conditions on the ground, with observers noting the delicate balance between military objectives and civilian protection. The exchange proposal ultimately did not come to fruition, leaving both sides in a state of strategic uncertainty as regional actors weighed possible avenues for de-escalation.
In statements issued previously, Hamas suggested that the release of foreign hostages would occur when conditions permitted. The language implied a conditional approach dependent on changes in the security environment, access to humanitarian relief, and the ability to ensure safe passages for evacuees. Analysts have framed these remarks within a broader context of ongoing conflict, international diplomacy, and the longstanding grievances that characterize the Israeli-Palestinian crisis. The situation remains fluid as rival authorities and factional actors coordinate, negotiate, and, at times, contest the interpretation of what constitutes a viable path forward for civilians caught in the crossfire.
Humanitarian concerns continue to surface amid reports of civilian casualties, displacement, and restricted access to essential services in Gaza. International agencies and neighboring countries have urged restraint, safe corridors for aid delivery, and protections for noncombatants, while reiterating calls for a political solution that addresses the root causes driving the conflict. The current exchanges between Hamas, the Israeli government, and third-party mediators reflect a high-stakes dynamic where military actions, hostage negotiations, and humanitarian obligations intersect in complex ways. Observers warn that any misstep could escalate violence further or complicate potential negotiations that might offer a path to relief for civilians on both sides of the border.