Hamas has claimed that the bodies of six Israeli hostages, recently discovered, were casualties of Israeli military airstrikes.
According to Arab media, Izzat al-Risheq, a senior Hamas leader, asserted that Hamas strictly adheres to a policy of not harming hostages. He boldly stated that Hamas takes better care of Israeli hostages than U.S. President Joe Biden himself.
Al-Risheq’s comments followed Biden’s expression of deep sorrow over the death of a U.S.-Israeli dual citizen among the hostages, with Biden placing the blame squarely on Hamas for the loss.
A local Hamas leader urged international allies, including the U.S., to press Israel to cease its relentless bombing campaign in Gaza, emphasizing that the lives of the hostages should be preserved.
The bodies of the six hostages were found in a tunnel in Rafah, a discovery that included an American and a Russian-Israeli citizen. The incident has sparked a flurry of reactions from both sides. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hamas of being responsible for the deaths and warned of severe repercussions.
Meanwhile, the families of the hostages, along with various political groups in Israel, have placed the blame squarely on Netanyahu. They have announced plans to protest nationwide against the government’s handling of the situation, signaling growing frustration and anger within the Israeli populace.