A Hamas official has informed Sky Information he “doesn’t know” what number of Israeli hostages are nonetheless alive.
Dr Basem Naim, Hamas’s head of political and worldwide relations, informed Sky Information: “I don’t know as a result of it’s unimaginable underneath this heavy bombardment – the communications are completely lower.”
Israel-Gaza newest: Hospital power running out ‘within 24 hours’
He additionally stated the group was able to launch civilian hostages when “aggression towards our folks is stopped”.
“On the time the aggression stops, we’re able to launch the civilian hostages,” he stated.
“I hope that we are going to have hostages alive on the time the aggression ends as a result of al Qassam Brigade [Hamas’s armed wing] introduced yesterday that 9 of the hostages have been killed underneath Israeli bombardment.
“And three days in the past 13 others have been killed – together with 4 foreigners.”
The Israeli navy stated on Monday that 199 hostages have been being held in Gaza – the next determine than beforehand estimated.
It comes as Sky Information has been informed that Israel has carried out a strike on the Rafah border crossing from Gaza into Egypt.
Negotiations to open the crossing to permit humanitarian assist into the Gaza Strip – and international nationals out – additionally seem to have stalled.
The crossing had been anticipated to open at 9am native time on Monday.
Nevertheless, a United Nations (UN) spokesperson stated there had been no progress on a full opening of the border.
Palestinians wait to cross to the Egyptian aspect at Rafah border, Gaza Strip
Pic:AP
In different key developments:
• Hamas denies Israel’s declare it had resumed water provides to Gaza
• The pinnacle of Israel’s intelligence company admitted it had failed to discourage Hamas’s assault
• Mr Blinken returns to Israel after six-country tour
• The UN warns gasoline in any respect hospitals throughout Gaza Strip is operating out
• The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) stated it killed a Hamas commander in airstrike
• Rishi Sunak says six Britons have been killed in Hamas raid on Israel and 10 others are lacking
• He additionally pledged an additional £10m in assist to assist Palestinian civilians
On Monday, a spokesperson for the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) stated getting humanitarian assist to the Gaza Strip was “not our accountability presently”.
Lieutenant Colonel Peter Lerner informed Sky Information: “Frankly, whereas the photographs are extraordinarily regarding, it is not our accountability presently.
“Certainly, we’re centered on hanging Hamas and hanging their capabilities.
“We will not be anticipated to not defend our civilians as a result of Hamas is hiding behind theirs.”
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Gallant: ‘The folks of Israel should win’
Learn extra:
Hamas gunmen ‘took time over torture’
Inside the military base where Israeli troops train
Couple’s desperate last messages before Hamas massacre
He stated the IDF was partaking with humanitarian companies within the area, however stated that the Israeli navy was not current within the Gaza Strip to offer assist.
“Within the space now we have requested them [people in Gaza] to maneuver to and transfer from – there is no such thing as a Israeli presence – we can not present them with assist,” he stated.
On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Iran and Hezbollah “don’t check us” within the north of the nation after 28 cities have been evacuated close to the border with Lebanon.
The evacuations in northern Israel adopted a spike in clashes between the nation’s navy and Hezbollah – a Lebanese militant group backed by Tehran – since Hamas’s shock incursion in Israel on 7 October.
Smoke billows throughout Israeli air strikes
Talking in parliament – which needed to be briefly evacuated on Monday after air raid sirens sounded in Jerusalem – Mr Netanyahu additionally referred to as for the world to unite to defeat Hamas.
“This battle can also be your battle,” he stated, as he in contrast the Hamas gunmen to the Nazis.
Israel’s defence minister, Yoav Gallant, additionally vowed: “We’re going to win this battle,” in a brief information convention with US secretary of state Antony Blinken on Monday.
“You understand our deep dedication to Israel’s proper, and certainly its obligation, to defend itself and to defend its folks – in that you’ve got, and at all times, the assist of the US,” Mr Blinken replied.
Click to subscribe to the Sky News Daily wherever you get your podcasts
Israel is anticipated to invade Gaza within the coming days in a mission to wipe out Hamas, which governs the besieged Palestinian territory.
Earlier, in a speech to his cupboard, the prime minister of the Palestinian Authority within the occupied territory of the West Financial institution, Mohammad Shtayyeh, urged Mr Netanyahu to “cease the aggression”.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Vans on ‘standby’ at Rafah border
US President Joe Biden additionally stated in an interview that Hamas ought to be eradicated, however warned it might be a mistake for Israel to occupy Gaza, calling as an alternative for a “two-state answer”.
In Israel, greater than 1,400 folks have been killed since Hamas carried out its assault on Israel on 7 October.
A Hamas authorities spokesperson stated 2,808 Palestinians had been killed and one other 10,850 wounded in retaliatory assaults by Israel.
Not less than 1,000 persons are lacking and believed to be underneath rubble, in response to the Palestinian civil defence workforce.