KATHMANDU: The armed wing of Hamas, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, on Saturday published images of 48 hostages held in Gaza through its Telegram channel. The photos included that of Nepali national Bipin Joshi. Both living and deceased captives were featured in the release.
In its statement, Hamas claimed that ongoing Israeli ground and air assaults had put the lives of the hostages at grave risk. The images were shared under the title “Ron Arad,” a reference to an Israeli Air Force officer who went missing in Lebanon in 1986.
Israeli officials continue to believe that around 20 hostages remain alive in Gaza. However, U.S. President Donald Trump suggested the actual number of survivors could be lower.
The Hamas threat triggered fresh protests in Tel Aviv and other Israeli cities, where thousands of demonstrators demanded an immediate end to the war and the safe return of the hostages.
Previously, Hamas had released two separate videos of Israeli captives—one showing two hostages and another, a month earlier, featuring two emaciated captives, one of whom was forced to dig his own grave.
These images and videos have sparked outrage among families of the hostages, Israeli officials, and allied nations including the United States.
According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, at least 65,208 people have been killed and 166,271 injured since the war with Israel began in October 2023. Since Israel broke a ceasefire on March 18 alone, 12,653 have been killed and 54,230 wounded.
In Gaza City, dozens were killed in the latest bombardments, with homes destroyed and thousands forced to flee, as Israel declared the entire area a war zone.
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