He did not provide evidence to support the assertion, such as a timetable.
Abu Ubaida stated in a Telegram statement that the Al-Qassam brigades reported that the number of hostages slain as a result of Israel’s military operations in Gaza has now surpassed 70 detainees.
Generally speaking, Israeli officials have refrained from answering Hamas’ public statements on the captives, characterizing them as psychological warfare.
Israel’s military operation comes after 1,200 people were killed by Hamas terrorists in southern Israel on October 7 and at least 250 were kidnapped, according to Israeli figures.
Over 30,000 Palestinians have died as a result of Israel’s military attack on the Gaza Strip in retaliation, according to the health ministry controlled by Hamas.
Over 100 Israeli and international captives were released by Hamas during a week-long truce in late November, in return for Israel freeing over 240 Palestinian inmates.
Israel accuses Hamas of having murdered at least two of the dead captives that the Israeli force was able to collect. Hamas promised to execute hostages as payback for Israeli military attacks at the beginning of the conflict.
President Joe Biden had earlier said that one day after over 100 Palestinians were killed at an aid convoy, the US will begin airdropping relief supplies into Gaza.
Before meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Biden told reporters at the White House, “We need to do more, and the United States will do more.”
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The 81-year-old Biden declared in the Oval Office, “In the coming days we’re going to join with our friends in Jordan and others in providing air drops of additional food and supplies.”
The declaration is made in the midst of ongoing talks between Israel and Hamas to end the conflict and address the humanitarian situation in Gaza, which has been under blockade since Hamas’s strikes on Israel on October 7.