GAZA, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, said on Sunday that it had lost communication with two Israeli hostages due to intensified Israeli attacks in Gaza City.
In a press statement, Al-Qassam said communication with the hostages, identified as Omri Miran and Matan Angrest, was cut off during the past 48 hours amid heavy Israeli bombardment and military activity in the Sabra and Tel al-Hawa neighborhoods.
Al-Qassam warned that the lives of the two hostages were in "real danger," demanding Israeli forces withdraw south of Street No. 8 and halt air operations for 24 hours to allow attempts to secure the captives.
Meanwhile, local sources and eyewitnesses said the Israeli army has expanded its ground operations in several areas of Gaza City, including Al-Nasr, Sheikh Radwan, and Al-Shati refugee camp in the north, as well as Tel al-Hawa and Sabra in the south, supported by airstrikes, artillery shelling, and tank fire.
In a separate statement, the Israeli military said its 98th Division had expanded operational control around Gaza City in recent hours, targeting military infrastructure and several militants in coordination with the air force.
The army added that its 162nd Division continued fighting in the area, destroying buildings and combat sites belonging to armed groups. Its air force struck about 140 targets across the Gaza Strip in recent hours, including military facilities, militants, and other infrastructure.
Israel launched a large-scale offensive on the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7, 2023, following a Hamas attack on southern Israel that left more than 1,200 people dead and led to the capture of 251 hostages, according to Israeli authorities. ■
