Hamas propaganda image comparing fate of hostages to Ron Arad. September 20, 2025. (Instagram)
The statement is intended as psychological warfare, suggesting the captives will share Arad’s fate.
By Vered Weiss, World Israel News
Hamas released a propaganda image on Saturday showing images of the 48 hostages still held in Gaza, depicting each as Ron Arad, the Israeli Air Force navigator missing since 1986.
The group captioned the image: “Because of Netanyahu’s refusal, and Zamir’s capitulation, a parting image as the military operation in Gaza City begins.”
The message accuses Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of rejecting a ceasefire-for-hostages deal while blaming IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir for carrying out the order to invade Gaza City despite his reported reservations.
The statement is intended as psychological warfare, suggesting the captives will share Arad’s fate.
Arad was captured in October 1986 after ejecting from his fighter jet during a bombing mission over Lebanon.
His pilot, Yishai Aviram, managed to escape. For decades, Arad was listed as missing in action until Israeli intelligence assessments concluded he died in 1988.
The latest psychological tactic came hours after U.S. President Donald Trump said that “very close” to 40 of the 48 remaining hostages were likely dead.
He added that Israel’s ongoing operation in Gaza City could still lead to rescues.
Israeli officials later clarified the figures: of the 48 hostages, 20 are believed alive, two are in critical condition, and 26 are confirmed dead with their bodies held in Gaza.
The remains of Hadar Goldin, an IDF officer killed in 2014, are also among those being withheld.
Since the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led terror attack that resulted in 251 abductions, the group has released 30 hostages — including 20 Israeli civilians, five soldiers, and five Thai nationals — along with the remains of eight captives during a ceasefire early this year.
Another dual American-Israeli hostage was freed in May in what Hamas called a gesture to Washington.
During a November 2023 truce, 105 civilians were freed, while four more were released earlier in the war.
Israel has also secured the release of eight hostages through rescue operations and has recovered 51 bodies, including three mistakenly killed by Israeli forces during an escape attempt.
In total, about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees have been exchanged since the conflict began.
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