A part of the northern part of Gaza devastated by the Israeli attack
An Israeli hostage died in Gaza due to lack of food and necessary medical care, the Palestinian independence armed group Hamas announced. Al-Qassam, the armed wing of Hamas, confirmed the news of the hostage’s death in a telegram on Saturday.
In a Telegram message, the group said, “We announce the death of Yeziv Bukhattaf (34), a Zionist prisoner, due to lack of medicine and food.” We have already warned that the prisoners of the enemy are suffering from the same conditions as our men; Hunger, deprivation, lack of food and medicine. Now this illness has threatened the lives of many of them.
In a short video released by al-Qassam, the Israeli hostage can be heard saying his name, Turkish media Anadolu reported.
“What the people of Gaza are suffering from the siege and the shortage of food and medicine, your prisoners will suffer (referring to Israel and the families of the prisoners),” al-Qassam said of the video. He survived the attack by the Israeli military but not the shortage of food and medicine.’
The Israeli authorities have not responded to Al-Qassam’s statement until yesterday evening.
Indirect talks brokered by Egypt, Qatar and the United States have failed to reach a new ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel. The agreement also includes a prisoner exchange. A ceasefire between Hamas and Israel brokered by Qatar, Egypt and the US lasted for a week until December 1, 2023. The deal included a cessation of hostilities, prisoner exchanges and very limited aid access to Gaza.
Since Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on October 7, Israel has been carrying out a terrible military operation in the Gaza Strip. 1,200 Israelis died in that attack by Hamas. More than 32,100 Palestinians have died in Israeli counter-attacks. Another 72 thousand 400 people were injured.
Hundreds of thousands of residents of northern Gaza are on the brink of famine due to the blockade of the Gaza Strip. Israel’s war has displaced 85 percent of Gaza’s population internally. In addition, residents of Gaza are suffering from acute shortages of food, medicine and drinking water. The United Nations says 60 percent of the valley’s infrastructure has been damaged and destroyed.
The International Court of Justice accuses Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. An internal ruling last January ordered Tel Aviv to end its genocidal activities in Gaza and ensure humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza.