Hamas says 33 hostages killed

3/12/2024 5:57

        Hamas said on Monday that 33
        hostages in Gaza had been killed during the almost 14-month-old
        war between the Palestinian militant group and Israel in the
        enclave, without giving their nationalities.
        
        Hamas added that other hostages had gone missing.
        
        "With the continuation of your crazy war," it said in a
        statement addressed to Israel, "you could lose your hostages
        forever. Do what you have to do before it is too late."
        
        Hamas shortly afterward published a video it said
        detailed when and how the hostages had been killed, blaming
        Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for their fate.
        
        The Israeli military did not immediately comment, which
        came as Israeli
        
        military strikes continued
        
        in Gaza.
        
        Hamas has called for an end to the war and total Israeli
        withdrawal from Gaza as part of any deal to release remaining
        hostages. Netanyahu has said the war will go on until Hamas is
        eradicated and poses no more threat to Israel.
        
        Israel launched its war after Hamas-led fighters
        attacked Israeli communities on Oct. 7, 2023, killing 1,200
        people and capturing more than 250 hostages, according to
        Israeli tallies.
        
        Israel's military offensive has killed more than 44,400
        Palestinians and displaced most of Gaza's population, Gaza
        officials say. Vast swathes of the enclave lie in ruins.