Latest news with #EzzedineAlQassamBrigades
Al Arabiya
3 days ago
- General
- Al Arabiya
Israel says it killed Mohammed Sinwar, presumed Hamas leader in Gaza
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday said the military had killed Mohammed Sinwar, the presumed leader of Hamas in Gaza and the brother of slain former chief Yahya Sinwar. 'In 600 days of the 'War of Revival,' we have indeed changed the face of the Middle East,' Netanyahu told parliament. 'We drove the terrorists out of our territory, entered the Gaza Strip with force, eliminated tens of thousands of terrorists, eliminated... Mohammed Sinwar.' Israeli media had reported that Sinwar was targeted in Israeli air strikes in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis on May 13. At the time, the Israeli military said it conducted 'a precise struck on Hamas terrorists in a command and control center located in an underground terrorist infrastructure site beneath the European hospital in Khan Younis.' Sinwar's older brother Yahya, accused by Israel of masterminding Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack that triggered the war in Gaza, was killed in the south of the territory in October 2024. Experts say it is likely that Mohammed Sinwar took over as the head of the armed wing of Hamas, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, after its leader Mohammed Deif was killed. Following the deaths of several Hamas leaders since October 7, Mohammed Sinwar was considered to be at the heart of decisions on indirect negotiations with Israel, the issue of hostages and the management of Hamas's armed wing. Hamas is designated a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union, among others.
The National
12-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Hamas releases US-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander
Hamas on Monday released US-Israeli Edan Alexander, believed to be the last surviving US hostage held by the militant Palestinian group in Gaza. Hamas handed over Mr Alexander to International Committee of the Red Cross in Khan Younis in southern Gaza to be taken to Israel. 'The Ezzedine Al Qassam Brigades [the armed wing of Hamas] released the captured Israeli soldier, Edan Alexander, a US citizen, a short while ago. This release followed contacts with the US administration, as part of the efforts being made by mediators to achieve a ceasefire, open the crossings and allow aid and relief to reach our people in the Gaza Strip,' Hamas said. Mr Alexander, 21, was born and raised in New Jersey and was serving in the Israeli army when he was captured by Hamas during its attack on Israel on October 7, 2023 that started the war. Hamas on Sunday announced its intention to release Mr Alexander, with US President Donald Trump set to arrive in the Middle East on Tuesday in the first official foreign trip of his second term. Mr Trump on Sunday called the planned release 'a step taken in good faith towards the United States and the efforts of the mediators – Qatar and Egypt – to put an end to this very brutal war and return all living hostages and remains to their loved ones'. 'Hopefully this is the first of those final steps necessary to end this brutal conflict. I look very much forward to that day of celebration,' Mr Trump said on social media. Of the 251 hostages seized during the 2023 attack on Israel, 58 are still held in Gaza, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that the release of Mr Alexander would not lead to a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip or the release of Palestinian prisoners. Negotiations for a possible deal to secure the release of all hostages in Gaza would continue 'under fire, during preparations for an intensification of the fighting', Mr Netanyahu said in a statement released by his office. 'Israel has not committed to a ceasefire of any kind or the release of terrorists but only to a safe corridor that will allow for the release of Edan,' Mr Netanyahu said. The promise of Mr Alexander's release had been achieved through 'military pressure' in the Gaza Strip, Mr Netanyahu said. 'We are in the midst of critical days in which Hamas has been presented with a deal that would enable the release of our hostages,' he added. Israel ended a two-month ceasefire on March 18, launching a major offensive in Gaza and ramping up its bombardment of the territory. It has also cut off all aid to Gaza, saying it would pressure Hamas to release the remaining hostages. The Health Ministry in Gaza said on Monday that at least 2,749 people have been killed since Israel resumed its campaign, bringing the overall death toll since the war broke out to 52,862. Hamas's initial attack on Israel killed 1,200 people. Hamas has continued to insist on a deal that ends the war and on April 18 rejected an Israeli proposal for a 45-day truce and hostage-prisoner exchange. In a statement on Sunday, the group said it was willing to 'immediately begin intensive negotiations' that could lead to an agreement to end the war and would see Gaza under a technocratic and independent administration.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hamas releases video of two Israeli hostages alive in Gaza
Hamas's armed wing released a video on Saturday showing two Israeli hostages alive in the Gaza Strip, with one of the two men calling to end the 19-month-long war. The pair were identified by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum campaign group as Elkana Bohbot and Yosef Haim Ohana, who were kidnapped during Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel that triggered the war. The undated three-minute video footage released by Hamas's Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades shows one of the hostages, 36-year-old Bohbot, visibly weak and lying on the floor wrapped in a blanket. The second hostage, Ohana, 24, speaks in Hebrew urging the Israeli government to end the war in Gaza and secure the release of all remaining captives -- a similar message to statements made by other hostages, likely under duress, in previous videos released by Hamas. In a statement, Bohbot's family said that "Elkana and Yosef are crying out to be saved. While all the people of Israel hear their calls, a handful of decision-makers refuse to listen," echoing criticism of the Israeli government for failing to bring back the hostages. "How much more can we bear? How much more can they endure? The fact that they are still there is a disgrace," the family said. Late Saturday, Israeli demonstrators calling for the release of the hostages and an end of the war gathered outside the defence ministry headquarters in the coastal city of Tel Aviv. AFP images showed some protesters holding pictures of the hostages and placards that read "we can save the rest" and "all of them now". - Uncertainty - Bohbot, a Colombian-Israeli, was seen bound and injured in the face in footage from the day of the Hamas attack, and his family have expressed concern about his health. Bohbot and Ohana, both abducted by Palestinian militants from the site of a music festival, are among 58 hostages held in Gaza since the 2023 attack, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead. Hamas also holds the remains of an Israeli soldier killed in a 2014 war. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that the fate of three hostages presumed alive was unclear, without naming them. "We know with certainty that 21 hostages are alive... and there are three others whose status, sadly, we do not know," Netanyahu said in a video shared on his Telegram channel. Israel resumed its military offensive across the Gaza Strip on March 18, after a two-month truce that saw the release of dozens of hostages. Since the ceasefire collapsed, Hamas has released several videos of hostages, including of the two appearing in Saturday's video. Israel says the renewed offensive aims to force Hamas to free the remaining captives, although critics charge that it puts them in mortal danger. Hamas's October 2023 attack resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people on the Israeli side, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said on Saturday that at least 2,701 people have been killed since Israel resumed its campaign in Gaza, bringing the overall death toll since the war broke out to 52,810. str-reg-csp/ami
CNA
10-05-2025
- Politics
- CNA
Hamas releases video of two Israeli hostages alive in Gaza
JERUSALEM: Hamas's armed wing released a video on Saturday (May 10) showing two Israeli hostages alive in the Gaza Strip, with one of the two men calling to end the 19-month-long war. The pair were identified by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum campaign group as Elkana Bohbot and Yosef Haim Ohana, who were kidnapped during Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel that triggered the war. The undated three-minute video footage released by Hamas's Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades shows one of the hostages, 36-year-old Bohbot, visibly weak and lying on the floor wrapped in a blanket. The second hostage, Ohana, 24, speaks in Hebrew urging the Israeli government to end the war in Gaza and secure the release of all remaining captives - a similar message to statements made by other hostages, likely under duress, in previous videos released by Hamas. In a statement, Bohbot's family said that "Elkana and Yosef are crying out to be saved. While all the people of Israel hear their calls, a handful of decision-makers refuse to listen," echoing criticism of the Israeli government for failing to bring back the hostages. "How much more can we bear? How much more can they endure? The fact that they are still there is a disgrace," the family said. Late Saturday, Israeli demonstrators calling for the release of the hostages and an end of the war gathered outside the defence ministry headquarters in the coastal city of Tel Aviv. AFP images showed some protesters holding pictures of the hostages and placards that read "we can save the rest" and "all of them now". UNCERTAINTY Bohbot, a Colombian-Israeli, was seen bound and injured in the face in footage from the day of the Hamas attack, and his family have expressed concern about his health. Bohbot and Ohana, both abducted by Palestinian militants from the site of a music festival, are among 58 hostages held in Gaza since the 2023 attack, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead. Hamas also holds the remains of an Israeli soldier killed in a 2014 war. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that the fate of three hostages presumed alive was unclear, without naming them. "We know with certainty that 21 hostages are alive ... and there are three others whose status, sadly, we do not know," Netanyahu said in a video shared on his Telegram channel. Israel resumed its military offensive across the Gaza Strip on March 18, after a two-month truce that saw the release of dozens of hostages. Since the ceasefire collapsed, Hamas has released several videos of hostages, including of the two appearing in Saturday's video. Israel says the renewed offensive aims to force Hamas to free the remaining captives, although critics charge that it puts them in mortal danger. Hamas's October 2023 attack resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people on the Israeli side, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said on Saturday that at least 2,701 people have been killed since Israel resumed its campaign in Gaza, bringing the overall death toll since the war broke out to 52,810.
Asharq Al-Awsat
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Hamas Releases Video of Two Israeli Hostages Alive in Gaza
Hamas's armed wing released a video on Saturday showing two Israeli hostages alive in the Gaza Strip, with one of the two men calling to end the 19-month-long war. Israeli media identified the pair in the undated video as Elkana Bohbot and Yosef Haim Ohana, who were kidnapped during Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel that triggered the war. The three-minute video released by Hamas's Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades shows one of the hostages, identified by media as 36-year-old Bohbot, visibly weak and lying on the floor wrapped in a blanket. Bohbot, a Colombian-Israeli, was seen bound and injured in the face in video footage from the day of the Hamas attack. After a video of him was released last month, his family said they were "extremely concerned" about his health. The second hostage, said to be Ohana, 24, speaks in Hebrew in the video, urging the Israeli government to end the war in Gaza and secure the release of all remaining captives -- a similar message to statements made by other hostages, likely under duress, in previous videos released by Hamas. Bohbot and Ohana, both abducted by Palestinian gunmen from the site of a music festival, are among 58 hostages held in Gaza since the 2023 attack, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead. Hamas also holds the remains of an Israeli soldier killed in a 2014 war. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that the fate of three hostages presumed alive was unclear, without naming them. "We know with certainty that 21 hostages are alive... and there are three others whose status, sadly, we do not know," Netanyahu said in a video shared on his Telegram channel. Israel resumed its military offensive across the Gaza Strip on March 18, after a two-month truce that saw the release of dozens of hostages. Since the ceasefire collapsed, Hamas has released several videos of hostages, including of the two appearing in Saturday's video. Israel says the renewed offensive aims to force Hamas to free the remaining captives, although critics charge that it puts them in mortal danger. Hamas's October 2023 attack resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people on the Israeli side, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said on Saturday that at least 2,701 people have been killed since Israel resumed its campaign in Gaza, bringing the overall death toll since the war broke out to 52,810.
