Israeli intelligence confirms dozens of hostages thought to be alive in Gaza are dead: report
Secretary of State Antony Blinken is pushing negotiations for a hostage exchange
By Anders Hagstrom Fox News Published February 6, 2024
https://www.foxnews.com/world/israe...ozens-hostages-thought-alive-gaza-dead-report
Alex Hogan reports on IDF discoveries of Hamas hideouts.
Israeli intelligence says dozens of hostages previously thought to be alive in Gaza are now confirmed dead, according to a report from the New York Times.
Israeli officials have concluded that at least 32 of the 136 hostages thought to be in Gaza have been killed. Israel reportedly has informed the families of the 32 hostages, according to four officials who spoke to the newspaper.
The report also states that officials are investigating unconfirmed intelligence indicating that at least 20 more hostages may have been killed. Most of those who have newly been confirmed to be dead were killed on Oct. 7, the Israeli military confirmed to the Times.
The report comes as Israel, the U.S., Egypt, Qatar and Hamas continue negotiations for a potential exchange of the remaining hostages for Palestinian prisoners held in Israel.
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Israeli intelligence says dozens of hostages previously thought to be alive in Gaza are now confirmed dead, according to a report from the New York Times. (Sydney Borchers/Fox News Digital)
Israel has continued its campaign against Hamas in southern Gaza, with fighting largely centered on Khan Younis, the largest city in southern Gaza. Israel's military has also carried out attempts to free hostages by force, with varying levels of success.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has vowed that the campaign will continue as far south as Rafah, a city on the border with Egypt.
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Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has vowed that the campaign will continue as far south as Rafah, a city on the border with Egypt. (Amir Levy/Getty Images)
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivered a joint press conference with the Qatari Prime Minister on Tuesday. He confirmed that Hamas had replied with a "positive" message when presented with the parameters of an agreement. They did not offer details on any deal, however.
"There is still a lot of work to be done, but we continue to believe that an agreement is possible and, indeed, essential," Blinken said. "We will continue to work relentlessly to achieve it."
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Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivered a joint press conference with the Qatari Prime Minister on Tuesday. (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed Al-Thani nevertheless called on Israel to implement a cease-fire to allow humanitarian aid to flow to Palestinians. He also called on Western nations to continue funding UNRWA, the aid group that Israel has accused of employing hundreds of Hamas collaborators, including at least a dozen who allegedly participated in the Oct. 7 terror attack.
Anders Hagstrom is a reporter with Fox News Digital covering national politics and major breaking news events. Send tips to Anders.Hagstrom@Fox.com, or on Twitter: @Hagstrom_Anders.
UNWRA workers=hamas
Just in case there was any doubt Bibi etal cared for the hostages to be rescued before his "cleanse Gaza" project is over:
Israeli hostage families = hamas
First they came and called Palestinians Hamas and I did not speak up...
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Let's take a look at what has been going on in Gaza over the past week or so. The international community has put forward two cease-fire proposals that have been rejected by Hamas. The basic structure of the proposals was a two month ceasefire with a staged release of the hostages in exchange for prisoners, and allowing free passage of the Hamas leadership out of Gaza.
Note that allowing the Hamas leadership to leave Gaza is a change in position for Israel which earlier stated the position was that all Hamas militants and leaders in Gaza would be killed or imprisoned. The proposal to allow the Hamas leadership to leave (to live their lives in luxury elsewhere) still fits in with Israel's aims of removing Hamas as a governing & military entity in Gaza. The Mossad can probably eliminate these Hamas terrorist leaders in other countries over time.
At this point Israel has done an effective job at eliminating numerous Hamas leaders in Gaza and in reducing the number of militants. At this point 70% of the Hamas militants have been killed or wounded in Gaza. The Hamas leadership in Gaza can keep constantly moving but eventually will be hunted down -- despite using hostages as human shields.
Hamas had demanded they stay in power in Gaza (not going to happen) and demanded the release of top imprisoned terrorist leaders in exchange for hostages. Hamas has fewer bargaining chips as the bodies of hostages pile up; currently 32 of the remaining 136 hostages are dead in Hamas captivity. As each day goes by, Hamas is reduced in military capability in Gaza while the suffering of the civilians continues as Hamas steals large portions of aid supplies. Hamas has attempted to re-appear in Gaza City while infiltrating to the north after Israel moved a bulk of its troops elsewhere. However it appears that the IDF has rounded most of these Hamas militants up over the past week after placing more troops in Gaza City.
A two month ceasefire in Gaza would be very helpful from a humanitarian and aid perspective. The population of Gaza is suffering from food and water shortages -- as well as needing medical aid. However Hamas has been rejecting the proposals for a two month ceasefire put forward from the international community. -- while they try to cling to power in Gaza.
As stated above, Hamas has rejected all the ceasefire and peace proposals from the international community. Diplomats are now making clear the ball is in Hamas's court. Only Hamas can end the suffering being endured by civilians in Gaza.
‘The ball now is in Hamas’s court’, says US official
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/live...trikes-send-message-to-houthis?update=2678889
A senior US State Department official has told the AFP news agency that it is “impossible to say” if Blinken and his team will achieve “a breakthrough” on a trip to the Middle East.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, reiterated the public US line that “the ball right now is in Hamas’s court”.
He also noted that Blinken will seek to lay the groundwork for action immediately after any halt to the war, which has isolated the US on the world stage and led to growing escalation in the region.
“If we get a humanitarian pause, we want to be in a position to move as quickly as possible on the various pieces of day after,” he added.
I also don't think the above are viable, but don't get it twisted. You may get away with intentionally bombing civilians by lying and calling it collateral damage but only genocidal fucks think intentionally starving someone is on anyone but the ones doing the starving.Yeah, Hamas demanding that Israel release all the terrorists held in prison -- including the most violent ones -- plus demanding that Hamas remain in place to rule Gaza is simply not going to be accepted by Israel.
Note that the international coalition provided two proposals in the past week or so which included a two month ceasefire, exchanging hostages & some prisoners, and allowing the Hamas leadership to leave Gaza. Hamas rejected these proposals.
Now Israel will push into Rafah to eliminate the remainder of the Hamas terrorists. Hardly a good situation due to all the Palestinian civilians taking refugee in Rafah creating a crowded situation with food, water and medical issues for civilians. However Hamas is solely responsible for this humanitarian crisis.
Netanyahu rejects Hamas' Gaza cease-fire demands, says troops will push into Rafah
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/israel...amas-gaza-cease-fire-says-pushing-into-rafah/
I've just gotta keep on laughing at blind eyed Blinken's attempts to lead the blind.A senior US State Department official has told the AFP news agency that it is “impossible to say” if Blinken and his team will achieve “a breakthrough” on a trip to the Middle East.