Current status
The war between Israel and Hamas has been going on for more than three months. More than 1,200 people were killed in the terrorist organization’s attacks on various locations in Israel on October 7. In addition, Hamas has abducted approximately 250 people to the Gaza Strip.
More than 28,000 people have been killed in Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, according to the Hamas-controlled health authority. However, this information cannot be independently verified.
Hamas has a number of hostages During a brief ceasefire in November, about 240 Palestinian prisoners were released, including women, children and non-Israeli civilians. As various media write, 132 hostages are still being held by Hamas. According to the Guardian, 27 people kidnapped as hostages have been killed so far.
Mind games
As “Spiegel” writes, many of the hostages released so far have described the conditions of their captivity as horrific.
Now there are Hamas videos circulating that also deserve the title of horrifying. In one, a young woman held hostage informs about the deaths of two men who have also been captured, namely Yossi Sharabi and Itay Svirsky. At the end, the video shows a bloody male corpse. Hamas says in the video that the two men were killed in Israeli bombings. The Israeli military rejects the accusations.
We are heartbroken by the news that Yossi Sharabi, 53, and Itay Svirsky, 38, were murdered by Hamas terrorists while held hostage in Gaza.
Itay’s parents were killed by Hamas on October 7. He is survived by three brothers and sisters… pic.twitter.com/VymGTJ13ri
— Israel and Switzerland (@israelinCH) January 17, 2024
A Hamas video published on Sunday is even more brutal. There you can see the woman and the two men who were still alive at the time. According to “Spiegel,” the video ends with the statement: “Tomorrow we will inform you about their fate.”
A day later, on Monday, Hamas followed up with a video. According to Reuters news agency, the faces of the three hostages were shown and three options were offered: all three hostages die, “some are killed, some are injured” or all three people are spared. At the end of the video it was announced again: “Tonight we will inform you about their fate.”
It was initially unclear when the videos were recorded and whether the two men were really dead. Israel has since confirmed her death.
Agreement between conflicting parties
“After three months of intense fighting you start to run out of words to describe it.” This is what Martin Schüepp, head of operations at the International Committee of the Red Cross, told the “NZZ” about the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli hostages are also affected by the inhumane situation. But their situation could improve somewhat, at least in the short term, thanks to an agreement between Israel and Hamas. As the Guardian writes, an agreement was reached between the conflicting parties with the mediation of Qatar and France.
As a result, Israeli hostages can be provided with medicine and other humanitarian supplies by the Red Cross from Wednesday. In return, the Palestinian civilian population is also supported with such supplies. Relatives of the hostages have called for their loved ones to receive medication.
France sent the drugs to the Qatari capital Doha. From there you reach the Gaza Strip via the Egyptian city of El-Arish. Israel confirmed the agreement.
Who gets help
The deal will allow about 45 hostages to receive medication. According to the Guardian, the drugs are deposited in a hospital in the border town of Rafah. The Red Cross then accepts them and takes them to the hostages. Deliveries are expected to take more than three months.
John Kirby, spokesman for the US National Security Council, hopes that such an agreement can be reached again with the mediation of Qatar.
Soource :Watson

I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.