Hamas’ armed wing on Saturday released photographs described as “farewell images” of dozens of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza, warning that Israel’s ongoing military assault on Gaza City could place them in grave danger.
The group linked the warning to the case of Ron Arad, an Israeli air force navigator who went missing in Lebanon in 1986 after being shot down and was never returned. His disappearance has remained a painful subject in Israel for decades.
According to Israeli authorities, 251 people were captured when Palestinian fighters attacked southern Israel in October 2023. Out of those, 47 remain in Gaza, though the Israeli military says 25 of them are no longer alive. Hamas published 46 images of hostages on its Telegram channel, each one bearing Arad’s name, suggesting a possible parallel in their fate if the war continues.
Israel launched a ground operation into Gaza City on Tuesday after weeks of intense aerial bombardments. The advance on the territory’s largest city has forced hundreds of thousands of residents to flee. Families of those still in captivity have urged the Israeli government to suspend its assault, fearing it could cost the lives of their relatives.
The reference to Arad drew strong emotions, as his case became symbolic of Israel’s long-standing effort to recover missing or captured soldiers. Hamas’ move has added pressure at a time when military operations in Gaza are escalating and the fate of the remaining hostages remains uncertain.