Israel air force drops leaflets in Gaza seeking information on hostages

The Israeli military on Tuesday (October 24) dropped leaflets in Gaza urging Palestinians to provide information about hostages being held by Hamas. The military has offered protection and a reward to those who give information.

When they launched cross-border raid into Israel in October 7, the Hamas terrorists captured more than 200 people.

"If your will is to live in peace and to have a better future for your children, do the humanitarian deed immediately and share verified and valuable information about hostages being held in your area," the Israeli military said in the leaflet.

"The Israeli military assures you that it will invest maximum effort in providing security for you and your home, and you will receive a financial reward. We guarantee you complete confidentiality."

Watch | Israel-Palestine war | Pressure grows on Israel to negotiate release of Gaza hostages

Phone numbers were provided in the leaflet to call with information.

AFP reported that people taking refuge at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis in southern Gaza tore the leaflets after they were dropped by Israeli planes.

"We don't care, do whatever you want. All of us in Gaza are telling you, we are resisting, from east to west," said a Palestinian man as quoted by AFP.

Israel has massed forces near the border with the Gaza strip and there is speculation of a ground assault with an aim to free hostages and tackle Hamas.

Israel says that foreign nationals are among the hostages who have been taken to Gaza. The exact whereabouts of those abducted are not known.

Two hostages freed

Hamas on Tuesday, freed two elderly hostages. Yocheved Lifshitz (85) and Nurit Cooper (79) were among the people abducted by Hamas terrorists on October 7.

Lifshitz, seated in a wheelchair, interacted with media after her release.

While recounting her ordeal, she said that she 'went through hell'

She described how the terrorists "went on a rampage in our kibbutz, kidnapped me, lay me over a motorcycle... and sped off with me through the ploughed fields". She added that the fighters beat her on the way.

"...they didn't break my ribs but hurt me very much," she said.

She however said that during captivity, "they treated us well" adding that her captors were courteous and a doctor visited every two to three days.

Lifshitz's husband is still in captivity.

"They had everything that men and women needed including shampoo," she told journalists. "We ate the same food they did -- pitas with cream cheese, melted cheese, cucumbers."

(With inputs from agencies)

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