‘Intensity of Israeli bombing may leave families receiving their loved ones in coffins,' says Al-Quds Brigades
The Al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Jihad movement, warned on Saturday that ongoing Israeli airstrikes in Gaza could result in the deaths of Israeli hostages held in the enclave.
In a statement, the Palestinian group urged the families of the hostages to demand that the Israeli army halt its bombardment emphasizing the risk to the hostages during the final stages of preparations for their release under a prisoner exchange agreement.
“The intensity of Israeli bombing may leave families receiving their loved ones in coffins,” the group said, asserting that “the fate of the captives now lies solely in the hands of the Israeli army.”
This warning came hours before the anticipated implementation of a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, which is set to take effect at 8.30 a.m. local time (0630GMT) on Sunday.
Qatar announced a three-phase ceasefire agreement on Wednesday to end more than 15 months of deadly Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip.
Nearly 47,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, were killed and more than 110,700 injured in Israel's genocidal war on Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, according to local health authorities.
The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in November 2024 for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.
