33 hostages killed in Gaza due to Israeli actions: Hamas

In a video statement, Hamas blames the stubbornness of Netanyahu for the killings of hostages

Hamas has claimed that 33 captives held by the group in Gaza have been killed since the onset of Israel’s nearly 14-month-long war in the besieged enclave. In a video statement released on Monday, the militant group stated that the deaths were the result of “the stubbornness of the war criminal” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and “his ongoing aggression.”

Hamas also detailed the incidents in which the captives were killed, with the majority of the fatalities attributed to Israeli airstrikes. Some of the deaths occurred during failed rescue attempts by Israeli military forces. According to Hamas, the first such incident took place on October 9, 2023, when an Israeli airstrike killed four captives. The most recent killing occurred during an Israeli military operation in northern Gaza last month.

The video concluded with a warning: “By continuing your mad war, you may lose your captives forever. Do what needs to be done before it’s too late.”

Diplomatic push for ceasefire and captive release

Hamas’s announcement comes as key international mediators, including Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, intensify efforts to broker a ceasefire. This initiative aims to secure the release of Israeli captives, with recent truce talks in Lebanon offering some hope for a diplomatic breakthrough.

Meanwhile, the White House issued a statement on Monday mourning the death of Omer Neutra, a U.S. citizen who was serving in the Israeli military. Neutra, a tank commander, was killed by Hamas during its attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

In a separate statement, incoming U.S. President Donald Trump warned on social media that there would be “ALL HELL TO PAY” if Hamas fails to release the captives by January 20, the day he takes office.

Palestinian authority and Gaza talks

On Monday, delegations from the Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas met in Cairo to discuss the future management of Gaza following the end of Israel’s war. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty confirmed the talks, noting that both sides were aiming to reach an understanding on the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) role in managing daily affairs in Gaza after the conflict.

Israel has expressed opposition to allowing the Palestinian Authority to take control of Gaza, but the U.S. has advocated for a "reformed" PA to oversee the enclave.

Continued Israeli bombardment

As diplomatic talks continue, Israeli forces have pressed on with their offensive in Gaza, with airstrikes targeting the Jabalia area in the north and Abasan al-Kabira in the south. Gaza's Government Media Office has reported that at least 3,700 people have been killed or are missing since the siege of northern Gaza began 60 days ago.

Since the outbreak of the conflict on October 7, 2023, at least 44,466 Palestinians have been killed and 105,358 wounded, according to United Nations experts, who have described Israel’s actions in Gaza as “genocide.” On the Israeli side, more than 1,100 people were killed in the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, and over 200 individuals were taken captive.