'Almost 50' hostages killed in Israel raids, says Hamas armed wing
'Almost 50' Israeli hostages killed in raids, says Hamas armed wing
Hamas' armed wing on Thursday (Oct 26) claimed that "almost 50" Israeli hostages, held captive by the militant group, were killed after Israel began its counter-offensive against the Palestinian enclave.
"(Ezzedine) Al-Qassam Brigades estimates that the number of Zionist prisoners who were killed in the Gaza Strip as a result of Zionist strikes and massacres has reached almost 50," the group said in a statement issued on its Telegram channel, as per news agency AFP reports.
Earlier, the Israeli army said that 224 people were kidnapped by militants during the attack that claimed the lives of 1,400 people, mostly civilians.
"We have informed the families of 224 hostages. This number is changing based on the intelligence we obtain," military spokesman Daniel Hagari told reporters.
Also read:Israel-Hamas war: Russia, US proposals for UN action on Israel, Gaza rejected at Security Council
"It will continue to change. The effort to return the hostages is a top priority."
)
No Pandya as Auqib Nabi earns maiden ODI call-up; Mayank returns for WI T20Is| check full squads
)
FBI Director Kash Patel grilled over change of hiring rules on bestiality
)
Sydney Sweeney defends provocative ad choice, the internet is still not impressed
)
War will be ‘completely different and very short’ if Europe attacks Russia, warns Lavrov
)
Shahzad Bhatti Network declared terrorist organisation under UAPA: Govt order
)
US, China dominate global economy: Where does India rank among the world's biggest economies?
)
Finnish president Stubb calls Trump 'good for NATO' as allies increase defense expenditure
)
Bigg Boss 20: Mahhi Vij reveals she lost Yuva role to Kareena Kapoor; 'didn’t work out in my favour'
)
All Indian goods to get duty-free access to New Zealand
)
Alex Saab, ally of Venezuela's Maduro, pleads guilty in US corruption case
)
Lionel Messi for 2026 Ballon d’Or over Mbappe and Yamal, says Diego Simeone
)
Veteran actor Anant Nag honoured with Indian cinema’s highest award
)
Who was Eliana Moreno? NBC LA aerial reporter killed in Chatsworth crash
)
Trump backs PM Modi’s anti-opium push even as India remains on US illicit drug-producing list
)
At least 20 killed after war-damaged apartment building collapses in Gaza; rescuers search for survivors
)
Pakistan naval vessel returns to harbour with 'severe damage' after collision with Indian warship in Arabian Sea
)
Fed raises rates for first time in 3 years, Kevin Warsh defies Trump as inflation mounts
)
What is Article 10 of the 1991 treaty at the centre of Pakistan Navy's 'unprofessional conduct'
)
Ex-CIA officer caught with gold bars worth $40 million seeks plea deal | Gravitas
)
Daayra movie review: Kareena Kapoor, Prithviraj Sukumaran shine in Meghna Gulzar’s cop-versus-cop crime thriller
)
Gurugram biker hit-and-run case: Accused Kalyan Bainsla, cousin sent to 2-day police custody
)
Pakistan: Imran Khan's sons Kasim & Sulaiman claim their father is 'tortured' in jail
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New OTT releases this week (September 14-20, 2026): Lust Stories 3, Waiting Hai, Irumudi- 5 new titles coming on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
Trump's Iran war faces fresh House rebuke; 7 Republicans join Democrats in push to end conflict ahead of midterms
)
PNS Hunain: All you need to know about Pakistani vessel that hit Indian Navy warship
)
US Treasury rallies global financial institutions for Op Economic Outcast to isolate Iran
)
Saudi vs Houthis: Riyadh claims to have shot Houthi drone targeting Mecca
)
‘There’s no Pak-China boundary’: India rejects ‘so-called’ boundary joint commission, tells Islamabad to stop ‘theatrics’
)
Riyadh warns of ‘red line’ after Mecca targeted; Houthis claim downing Saudi fighter jet – What’s happening?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Suriya and Jyothika say ‘I do’ again after 20 years! See their dreamy wedding pics
)
Abhishek Sharma rises to No. 2 in T20Is; ENG’s Robinson 3rd after record Pakistan Tests
)
Extreme warming in Indian Ocean added 695 billion tons of ice to Antarctica ice sheet
)
BRICS success stuns White House, Trump targets India with 100% tariff | Gravitas
)
Meghan Markle's phone number leaked from children's WhatsApp group, couple switches Archie and Lilibet's school
)
The Early Spring season 2 is happening, but fans have one request - 'don't change the actors'
As per the Israeli government, at least half of the hostages have foreign passports.
Israel launched massive air strikesin retaliation against Palestinian militant group Hamas after its brutal onslaught on Oct 7.
'Advance warnings make no difference'
The UN humanitarian coordinator for the Palestinian territories, Lynne Hastings, on Thursday, said that despite the fact that Israeli forces issued warnings to the people in Gaza to leave, "advance warnings make no difference".
In a statement, she said that when evacuation routes are bombed, "people are left with nothing but impossible choices. Nowhere is safe in Gaza."
The army said overnight its forces hit "numerous terrorist cells, infrastructure and anti-tank missile launch posts".
The operation in northern Gaza came in "preparation for the next stages of combat", the military said.
The raid by the army came after PM Netanyahu, during a televised address said that "we are in the midst of a campaign for our existence".
(With inputs from agencies)
Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.
WATCH WION LIVE HERE
You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.