Al-Qassam Brigades hands over Israeli hostage Keith Siegel to the Red Cross, as part of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, in Gaza City, February 1, 2025. (Photo by Ali Hassan/Flash90)
Hamas had previously threatened to move hostages into Gaza City in an effort to slow Israel’s advance.
By Vered Weiss, World Israel News
Hamas is keeping 8 to 10 living hostages in Gaza City and is not planning to kill them, since they serve as the terror group’s “strongest bargaining chip,” Israel HaYom reports.
Between eight and ten Israeli hostages are believed to be alive in Gaza City as the IDF expands operations there, according to a video released by the Hamas terrorist group showing hostage Guy Gilboa-Dalal.
Dalal, who said he was filmed on August 28 in Gaza City, appeared alongside fellow hostage Alon Ohel.
Hamas had previously threatened to move hostages into Gaza City in an effort to slow Israel’s advance.
Israeli defense officials, however, assess that the terrorist organization is unlikely to put the captives at risk, since the hostages are considered “its strongest bargaining chip.”
Families of hostages have voiced growing concern in recent weeks about the dangers their loved ones face as the military campaign intensifies inside the city.
Anat Angrest, the mother of hostage Matan, said in a post on X that she was told during a phone call her son’s life is in immediate peril.
Directing her words to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, she wrote: “Prime Minister, did you sleep last night? Because I’ve just passed my 700th sleepless night.”
“They told me yesterday on the phone that my Matan is in immediate mortal danger. That’s why tonight, I will come to your doorstep along with tens of thousands of Israeli citizens. It will be loud—just like it is loud for Matan, surrounded by the echoes of explosions. You will not have more peace than I do. That time is over.”
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir has reportedly assured hostage families that their loved ones remain on his mind as the army pushes ahead with its offensive in Gaza City, despite warnings from military officials that the campaign could endanger the captives.
According to Channel 12, Zamir has privately urged Netanyahu to set aside the Gaza City operation in favor of a ceasefire agreement that would secure the hostages’ release.
Meeting recently with families, he said: “The operation will be conducted by me, with responsibility toward the troops and the hostages.”
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