GAZA, April 8 (Xinhua) -- Hamas said on Tuesday that Israel's ongoing military escalation in the Gaza Strip endangers the lives of Israeli hostages, rather than offering hope for their safe return.
In a press statement, the Palestinian militant group described Israel's actions as more than just military pressure, branding them as "brutal revenge" targeting innocent civilians. Hamas warned that such tactics jeopardize the hostages' safety instead of facilitating their safe release.
"The only way to secure the return of the hostages is through negotiations," Hamas stressed.
Israel resumed intensive military operations in Gaza on March 18, following the implementation of the first phase of a ceasefire deal that facilitated a prisoner-for-hostage exchange with Hamas.
According to Gaza-based health authorities, Israeli military actions over the past 24 hours have killed 58 people and injured 213 others. This brings the total Palestinian death toll since March 18 to 1,449, with 3,647 others injured.
Since Oct. 7, 2023, a total of 50,810 Palestinians have been killed and 115,688 others wounded as a result of Israeli attacks, the health authorities reported. ■
