The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) has confirmed that 199 individuals, including elderly persons, children, and women, were taken hostage by Hamas militants in the aftermath of a recent intense confrontation in Gaza.
Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, an IDF spokesman, mentioned in a press conference that the military has already informed the affected families, The Times of Israel reports.
“We are making valiant efforts to try to understand where the hostages are in Gaza, and we have such information,” stated Hagari.
He emphasized the IDF’s commitment to the safety of the hostages, declaring, “We will not carry out an attack that would endanger our people.”
As tensions mount in the region, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian warned of potential escalation should diplomatic endeavors fail to prevent a further Israeli offensive in Gaza.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, he remarked, “If the measures aimed at immediately stopping the Israeli attacks that are killing children in the Gaza Strip end in a deadlock, it is highly probable that many other fronts will be opened.”
He followed up with a stark warning against an Israeli incursion into Gaza, saying, “If the Zionist entity [Israel] decides to enter Gaza, the resistance leaders will turn it into a graveyard of the occupation soldiers.”
While on a diplomatic mission, Minister Amir-Abdollahian met with Ismail Hanieyh, a Hamas political leader, in Qatar.
During their discussions, the Iranian representative called upon Islamic nations to rally behind Palestine.
He also reaffirmed Iran’s unwavering position in the conflict, emphasizing, “The Islamic Republic of Iran will never back down on its principles and values in support of the Palestinian nation.”
