The Al-Qassam Brigades reported on Saturday that Israeli airstrikes and missile attacks on the Gaza Strip have resulted in the deaths of over 60 Israeli captives over nearly four weeks of aggression against the Palestinian enclave.

"Since October 7, the Zionist attacks on Gaza have killed more than 60 enemy hostages. After search operations, the bodies of 23 of them remain under the rubble and it looks like we won't be able to retrieve them because of the continuing horrible aggression against Gaza," the Palestinian group said in a statement. 

This comes against the backdrop of protests currently being held in front of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in which the families and relatives of the captives are clashing with the Israeli police.

According to Israeli sources, the relatives of captives have been camping in front of the security headquarters in "Tel Aviv" and expressed their commitment to continue doing so until the captives are freed.

"I hold Netanyahu responsible for this," one of the captive's relatives told Haaretz. 

#BREAKING Anti-Netanyahu protests are intensifying in Israel. pic.twitter.com/vHEAjSv4of

— Intelligence FRONT (@Intelligencefnt) November 4, 2023

On October 27, the UN General Assembly voted for an immediate ceasefire and called for the release of all Israeli captives without condition. 

Hamas said they would agree to release all captives on the condition of a ceasefire, however, Netanyahu has refused to consider this option, arguing that a ceasefire would represent a form of surrender to Hamas. 

Last Wednesday, the UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said that US calls for a ceasefire were "falling on deaf ears."

"A humanitarian ceasefire is long overdue," he said, adding that "Without it, more people will be killed, those who are alive will endure further losses, and the once vibrant society will be in grief, forever."

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