(Daily Mail) Hamas has threatened to execute hostages unless Israel meets its demands, as Benjamin Netanyahu issued a warning to the terror group to surrender immediately or face certain death.
Hamas spokesman Abu Obeida made a chilling threat to Israel and what he called ‘its arrogant leadership’ on Sunday, vowing that it would not get its hostages back alive ‘without an exchange and negotiation and meeting the demands of the resistance.’
As the two sides traded blows, hopes for a ceasefire were wearing thin, with Israel hinting that it is willing to continue its bitter fight for months or longer to completely eradicate Hamas and mediator Qatar saying willingness to negotiate is fading.
Israel declared war following the sickening October 7 attack by Hamas and other groups, which saw 1,200 people killed and around 240 dragged back to Gaza as hostages. More than 18,000 have been killed in Gaza, Hamas authorities say.
Over 100 women and children being held by Hamas were freed during a weeklong ceasefire late last month, which saw three Palestinian prisoners released from Israeli jails for every one hostage handed back.
Palestinian detainees sit in a truck as Israeli soldiers stand guard and smoke rises in the background
A military truck packed with stripped and blindfolded Palestinians who Israel has called ‘terror suspects’, without providing evidence
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called on Hamas terrorists to ‘surrender now’
Smoke rises as Israeli artillery units and howitzers stationed in the military zone launch attacks near the Gaza border in Nahal Oz, Israel on December 10, 2023
Yahya Sinwar, who has been dubbed Gaza’s Bin Laden, is reportedly in hiding at an address in Khan Younis – a southern city being encircled by IDF troops
Flames and smoke rise from Al Niusairat refugee camp following Israeli air strikes in the southern Gaza Strip, 10 December 2023
Smoke rises from city of Khan Younis after Israeli strikes on Sunday, December 10, 2023
On Sunday night, Netanyahu called on Hamas to ‘surrender now’ and warned that ‘it is the beginning of the end’ for the terror group.
As Israel’s relentless military offensive in Gaza continues to rumble on, the IDF has hinted it is closing in on top Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, its number one target who is dubbed ‘Gaza’s Bin Laden’.
Reports suggest Sinwar is in hiding at an address in northwest Khan Younis, a southern city being encircled by IDF troops.
In a televised statement this evening, Netanyahu declared: ‘The war is still ongoing but it is the beginning of the end of Hamas. I say to the Hamas terrorists: It’s over. Don’t die for Sinwar. Surrender now.’
Despite suggestions that Hamas was close to ‘disintegrating’, national security adviser, Tzachi Hanegbi, hinted that the war could continue for months, with key ally the United States not setting a deadline for Israel to achieve its goals.
‘The evaluation that this can’t be measured in weeks is correct, and I’m not sure it can be measured in months,’ he told Israel’s Channel 12.
Israel has pressed ahead with its offensive after the US blocked the latest international efforts to halt fighting and rushed more munitions to its ally.
Heavy fighting raged in and around Khan Younis over the weekend, with the IDF warning civilians to flee the centre, with the humanitarian situation becoming increasingly dire as thousands seek shelter in a shrinking area of the south of Gaza.
Hopes for a new ceasefire are fading as mediator Qatar said today that there is a ‘narrowing’ window to secure a truce, while vowing that it would continue to put pressure on both sides to halt the violence.
Dozens of captives are reported to have been paraded through Palestine Square in Gaza City this week, with shoes and sandals strewn across the street in one image
