IOF strikes before ceasefire could kill captives: Abu Hamza

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
18 Jan 2025 15:15

The military spokesperson for the al-Quds Brigades issued a stark warning about the potential consequences of "Israel’s" intensified strikes on Gaza ahead of the announced ceasefire.

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Mourners recite a prayer over the bodies of four people killed in an Israeli strike, north of Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, in the yard of Nasser Hospital, on January 18, 2025 (AFP)

Continued Israeli strikes in Gaza could kill Israeli captives before their release, Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the al-Quds Brigades warned.

Israeli captives’ families should ask the Israeli military to stop intensified strikes in the final hours before a ceasefire takes effect as this “would be the cause behind their children being killed,” PIJ military wing spokesperson Abu Hamza stressed.

He added that "the intensified Israeli bombardment is set to steer events in one of two directions: either the families of Israeli captives will receive their loved ones in coffins or safe and sound at home."

Abu Hamza underscored that the outcome of the situation in these critical final hours is entirely contingent on the actions and decisions of the Israeli military.

In a related context, the military spokesperson for the al-Qassam Brigades, Abu Obeida, stated on Thursday that the Israeli occupation forces targeted a location where a female captive set to be released as part of the first phase of the anticipated prisoner exchange deal was being held.

In a post on Telegram, Abu Obeida warned that "any aggression or bombing by the occupation during this phase could turn the freedom of a captive into a tragedy."

This comes as the Gaza Health Ministry reported that the total number of Palestinians killed on the 470th day of the Israeli aggression on Gaza since October 7, 2023, has risen to 46,899, in addition to 110,725 injuries.

The Ministry also added that the Israeli occupation committed 3 massacres against families in the Gaza Strip, killing 23 martyrs and injuring 83 others who arrived at hospitals in 24 hours.

It is worth noting that Palestinian blood continues to be shed mercilessly in Gaza, as relentless Israeli attacks persist unabated, even in the wake of the ceasefire announcement.

The spokesperson for Civil Defense in Gaza Mahmoud Bassal reported on Friday that the death toll in the Gaza Strip has risen to 111 since the announcement of the ceasefire agreement, including 28 children, with at least 264 others injured.

Qatar announces Gaza ceasefire comes into effect 8:30 am Sunday

The Gaza ceasefire is set to take effect on Sunday at 8:30 am local time (0630 GMT), Qatar's foreign ministry announced.

Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Majed al-Ansari, made the announcement on X: "Following coordination among the parties to the agreement and the mediators, the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip will commence at 8:30 am local time on Sunday, January 19."

He also urged residents to "take precaution, exercise the utmost caution, and wait for directions from official sources."