Hamas Calls for Ceasefire to Search for Hostages in Gaza

Hamas’s armed wing, the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, has appealed to the Israeli military to temporarily cease air strikes and withdraw from parts of Gaza City as it seeks to locate two Israeli hostages with whom it claims to have lost contact. In a statement issued on Sunday, September 28, 2023, the group asserted that “the lives of the two prisoners are in real danger” and called for a halt to military operations for a period of 24 hours, beginning at 18:00 local time.

The announcement from Hamas follows intensified Israeli military actions in southern Gaza City neighborhoods over the past two days. The armed group stated that the loss of contact with the hostages was a direct consequence of these military operations. Previously, Hamas had announced a similar loss of contact with an Israeli-American hostage, who was released shortly thereafter.

As the situation escalates, the Israeli military has repeatedly instructed Palestinian civilians to evacuate southward. On the international stage, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the United Nations, affirming his determination to “finish the job” against Hamas, despite facing significant global criticism due to the ongoing offensive.

The current conflict in Gaza was ignited by a surprise attack from Hamas on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,219 people in Israel, the majority of whom were civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. Of the 251 individuals abducted during the attack, 47 remain held in Gaza, with the Israeli military reporting that 25 of these individuals are deceased.

In response to the ongoing hostilities, Israel has launched a retaliatory offensive in Gaza, which, according to figures from the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory, has resulted in at least 66,005 fatalities, predominantly among civilians. The United Nations has deemed these figures as credible, reflecting the severe humanitarian impact of the conflict.

As efforts to locate the hostages continue, the call for a ceasefire highlights the urgent need for dialogue and resolution in a conflict that has already claimed an overwhelming number of lives on both sides. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, hoping for a de-escalation of hostilities and a path toward peace.