Israelis suffering 'collective trauma' due to captives in Gaza: Report
3 Min Read
Israeli settlers are suffering from a form of ongoing collective trauma due to Hamas having dozens of Israeli captives in Gaza for over a year, according to Israeli media.
-
Israeli settlers protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government and call for the release of captives held in the Gaza Strip by Hamas, in Tel Aviv, occupied Palestine, on Saturday, December 14, 2024. (AP)
Israeli media have reported that Israelis continue to suffer from persistent trauma following the events of October 7, 2023, when Hamas captured 251 Israelis during its al-Aqsa Flood operation.
Channel 12 revealed findings from a new study indicating that the Israeli public was experiencing "ongoing collective trauma" due to the situation.
"More than half of the general psychological distress among the population, linked to the ongoing war, stems from the shock of the kidnappings," the report said.
Hamas emphasized earlier in December that the Israeli occupation military's acknowledgment of its responsibility for the deaths of six captives confirms the accuracy of the Palestinian Resistance's account of events and exposes the Israeli occupation's narrative as false, holding it accountable for the consequences that unfolded.
The movement pointed out that the killing of more Israeli captives by the Israeli occupation forces further proves the failure of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s approach of freeing captives through force, emphasizing that military pressure does not free captives, it only kills them.
Hamas held Netanyahu directly responsible for the deaths of dozens of captives due to his failure to reach a deal and reiterated that "the only solution was to end the aggression, withdraw the Israeli occupation forces, and proceed with a prisoner exchange deal."
'Israel' behind deaths of captives
An Israeli military investigation has hinted at the potential responsibility of its forces for the killing of six Palestinian prisoners in an airstrike on a site in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip.
The Israeli occupation forces earlier mentioned that, on August 20, it found the bodies of six captives and the bodies of six Palestinian Resistance fighters in a tunnel in the vicinity of the area targeted in February.
Hamas announced that 33 Israeli captives held by the Palestinian Resistance have been killed, with some reportedly disappearing. Hamas attributed the deaths to the actions of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and what it described as his "fascist army."
Hamas issued a warning to "Israel", stating, "By continuing your reckless war, you may lose your prisoners forever," and added, "Do what you must before it’s too late."
The movement included a video clip with its message, detailing the Israeli attacks that led to the killing and disappearance of Israeli prisoners in the Gaza Strip.
