Hamas releases 2 more hostages, Israel warns of 'unrelenting attacks'
Days after releasing an American mother-daughter duo, Palestinian terror group Hamas on Monday freed two more Israeli women they had taken hostage. Hamas's military wing said it released them for "compelling humanitarian" reasons after mediations by Egypt and Qatar. The women, holding dual nationalities, were taken to the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza. Media reports said Hamas might free 50 more hostages.
Red Cross agents evacuate freed hostages
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said it helped facilitate the release of the two hostages and transported them out of Gaza by working as a neutral intermediary. Hamas continues to hold captive the husband of a released hostage. Meanwhile, more planes carrying humanitarian aid reached Egypt's El Arish Airport, North Sinai, and are waiting to be sent to Gaza, Xinhua reported.
Israel ignoring human cost could backfire: Barack Obama
After a limited ground raid, Israel's military on Monday pegged the number of hostages with Hamas at 222. Israel said it was preparing to launch "unrelenting attacks" to decimate Hamas amid prominent leaders and analysts warning against a ground offensive, fearing massive losses on both sides. Former United States President Barack Obama said, "Any Israeli military strategy that ignores human costs could ultimately backfire."
Won't delay ground offensive over hostages: Israeli minister
The United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK) have reportedly asked Israel to delay launching its ground offensive. However, Israeli Energy Minister Israel Katz said they won't delay the ground offensive over the hostages, German tabloid Bild reported. He said they would do everything to bring the hostages home. "But that cannot hinder our actions including the ground offensive," he added.
Number of deaths in Gaza crosses 5,000
Israeli airstrikes have killed 5,087 people in Gaza, the United Nations reported, quoting Palestinian authorities, adding that a ceasefire wasn't likely. The deaths include over 2,000 children, while women and children together constitute 62% of the fatalities. Meanwhile, Hamas attacks have killed around 1,400 people in Israel since October 7, the day it launched a surprise attack triggering the war.
Israel says it can't confirm Hamas beheaded babies
Israeli newspaper Haaretz published the names of 767 Israelis killed in Hamas attacks. However, there have been no infants on it so far, putting a question mark on Israeli claims of Hamas beheading babies. Although Israel said it couldn't confirm Hamas beheading 40 Israeli infants, PM Benjamin Netanyahu's office earlier posted a picture on social media backing the claim, which some alleged was AI-generated.
