Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip have killed at least 28 people, mostly women and children, the territory’s health ministry said on Thursday.
More victims in Gaza
Israel ended its truce with Hamas and resumed its air and ground war more than a month ago. Since early March, it has cut off access to food and other imports for Gaza’s 2 million Palestinians to force Hamas to release hostages.
Hamas has said it will release the remaining 59 hostages, 24 of who are believed to be alive, only in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners, a prolonged ceasefire and a complete Israeli withdrawal. Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas.
The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and kidnapping 251 hostages. Most were released under ceasefire or other deals.
The Israeli offensive has killed more than 51,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gaza’s health ministry, which does not say how many of the dead were civilians or combatants. Israel claims to have killed about 20,000 militants, without providing evidence.
Palestinian president calls on Hamas to release hostages
Palestinian National Authority (PNA) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, in a strongly worded televised address, called on Hamas to release hostages, step back from power in the Gaza Strip and lay down its arms.
“Release the hostages! Hamas must stop controlling the Gaza Strip and surrender its weapons to the PNA,” he said.
Abbas said “releasing hostages, lifting the Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip, stopping the displacement of people in coordination with Arab countries are the main goals of the NPA.”
He also called on Hamas to formalise itself into a political party and start negotiations with the NPA.
Abbas condemned Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip, noting that it could lead to a new Nakba (Palestinian exodus) and that hundreds of people continue to die because Hamas refuses to return American hostages.
The PNA chief reiterated that “the basis for achieving peace in the Middle East is the end of the Israeli occupation and the establishment of a Palestinian state.”
