Palestinian Factions Hold Over 130 Israeli Hostages

09 October 2023

Various Palestinian groups have reportedly taken custody of at least 130 hostages, as reported by The Jerusalem Post newspaper. These captives are said to be held by supporters of both the Palestinian  group Hamas and its ally, Islamic Jihad. Additionally, Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper has claimed that Mousa Abu Marzook, a senior Hamas official, declared the capture of at least 100 new hostages. According to Palestinian assertions, this group includes not only civilians but also Israeli military personnel, including some senior officers.

 

Shortly before these reports, Islamic Jihad Secretary-General Ziyad al-Nakhalah had announced the capture of over 30 Israelis in an operation near the Gaza Strip. According to him, among those held are Israeli army soldiers and Jewish settlers. Al-Nakhalah stressed that these captives would not be released "until Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails are freed."

 

On the same note, the wing of the group, the al-Quds Brigades, claimed on Saturday that they had captured "many Israeli soldiers," although the exact number was not disclosed. Additionally, Hamas fighters reported the capture of 35 Israeli soldiers and settlers. Israel Defense Forces spokesman Richard Hecht later confirmed to CNN on Sunday that militants had taken "dozens of people" hostage, and the situation  remains complex.

 

 

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Photo: Jose Antonio Alba\Pixabay

Based on materials from TASS