Escalating Tensions: Israel Launches Strikes on Gaza Amid Mounting Calls for Release Additional Hostages”

Israel conducted new airstrikes on Gaza on Sunday as its leadership faced increasing demands to secure the release of remaining hostages in the Hamas-controlled region, more than two months after the October 7 attacks.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu encountered protests on Saturday from relatives of hostages, urging an urgent deal for their release after the army acknowledged mistakenly killing three captives in Gaza.

The trio were among approximately 250 people taken hostage during Hamas’s October 7 raids into Israel, which also resulted in around 1,140 casualties, according to the latest figures from Israeli authorities.

Hamas claimed that Israel’s retaliatory offensive in Gaza led to the deaths of 18,800 people, predominantly women and children. At a Tel Aviv protest on Saturday, relatives of hostages gathered, pleading with the government for negotiation.

“Take us into consideration and come up with a plan now (for negotiation),” said Noam Perry, daughter of hostage Haim Perry, at the protest. Over 100 of the Israelis and foreigners seized on October 7 were released in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners during a week-long truce last month mediated by Qatar.

Netanyahu reiterated his commitment to the military effort on Saturday, expressing deep sorrow over the deaths of the three hostages. “It broke my heart. It broke the whole nation’s heart. With all the deep sorrow, I want to clarify: the military pressure is necessary both for the return of the kidnapped and for achieving victory over our enemies,” he added.

On Sunday, the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza reported at least 12 people killed in Israeli strikes on the central city of Deir al-Balah. Witnesses also observed Israeli air and artillery strikes on the southern municipality of Bani Suhaila east of Khan Yunis, Gaza Strip’s second city.

However, Hamas, in a Telegram statement, declared it was “against any negotiations for the exchange of prisoners until the aggression against our people ceases completely.” US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced late Saturday that he was traveling to Israel, Bahrain, and Qatar to underscore Washington’s commitments to strengthening regional security and stability. —Agencies