Hamas Calls for Ceasefire to Locate Two Israeli Hostages

The armed wing of Hamas has urged the Israeli military to halt air strikes and withdraw from parts of Gaza City in an effort to locate two Israeli hostages. The Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades issued a statement on Sunday, September 28, requesting a temporary ceasefire beginning at 18:00 local time. They warned that “the lives of the two prisoners are in real danger,” and called for Israeli forces to retreat to the south of Street 8 for a period of 24 hours to facilitate rescue attempts.

The call for a ceasefire comes after the group reported a loss of contact with the hostages, attributing this disruption to intensified Israeli military operations in two southern neighborhoods of Gaza City over the previous 48 hours. This escalation has included both air and ground assaults, significantly increasing the risks for those captured. Previously, Hamas announced a similar loss of contact with another Israeli-American hostage, who was released shortly after.

As the situation unfolds, the Israeli military has been actively encouraging Palestinians to move southward in response to its ongoing offensive. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the United Nations, affirming his commitment to “finish the job” against Hamas, despite facing widespread international condemnation due to the intensification of military actions.

The current conflict in Gaza was ignited by Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of 1,219 individuals, predominantly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. Of the 251 people abducted during that assault, 47 are still believed to be held in Gaza, including 25 whom the Israeli military has declared deceased.

Israel’s retaliatory measures have had devastating consequences, with at least 66,005 fatalities reported in Gaza, the majority of whom are civilians. These figures come from the health ministry in Gaza, which is administered by Hamas and has been deemed reliable by the United Nations. The humanitarian impact of the ongoing conflict continues to be profound, drawing attention from various international organizations and governments.

As both sides remain entrenched in their positions, the call for a ceasefire from Hamas raises critical questions about the future of hostages and the broader implications for peace in the region.