Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has emphasized that increasing military pressure is the sole effective approach for securing the release of hostages held by Hamas since its large-scale assault on October 7. Among the 238 individuals currently captive in Gaza, including both Israelis and foreigners, approximately 30 are reported to be children, according to Israeli authorities.
Throughout the conflict, Hamas has released four civilian hostages, with Israeli forces successfully rescuing a female soldier. Gallant confirmed the commitment to ongoing attacks on the terrorist group and the destruction of its command centres.
Recent media reports hinted at a potential prisoner swap, suggesting Hamas's willingness to release 50 hostages in exchange for Palestinian women and children held in Israeli prisons. Responding to these reports, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged the public to await official government announcements and cautioned against believing rumours.
Tragically, on Tuesday, Israeli sources verified the death of a soldier captured by Hamas. The terrorist group asserted that she was one of 57 hostages killed in the ongoing Israeli airstrikes in Gaza.
As of Thursday morning, the overall death toll in Israel reached 1,200, encompassing Israelis and foreign nationals. The released names of 1,162 fatalities include 859 civilians and police officers, with 33 identified as children. The situation remains fluid, with the Israeli government closely monitoring and responding to developments.
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