Islamic Jihad warns: Captives to be sent back in coffins should military strikes on Gaza persist
The Palestinian Islamic Jihad has issued a warning, stating that Israel's increased airstrikes on Gaza could result in fatalities among captives. The release of these captives is scheduled to commence following the implementation of a ceasefire agreement, expected to take effect in the early hours of Sunday.
The Al-Quds Brigades, the military arm of the Islamic Jihad movement, has called upon the families of those captured to pressure for a halt to the airstrikes, stating that “the fate of the captives is now exclusively in the hands of the Israeli military.”
The escalating intensity of Israeli airstrikes poses a grave risk to civilians, potentially leading to tragic outcomes as families may be faced with the somber task of burying their deceased relatives.
The recently announced ceasefire agreement is scheduled to commence on Sunday at 8:30 a.m. local time (1:30 a.m. Eastern Time).
As per the agreement brokered in Qatar, the initial phase of the arrangement will see the release of 33 Israeli captives in exchange for over 730 Palestinian prisoners.
According to two U.S. officials, three Israeli women who have been held captive in Gaza are anticipated to be released on the initial day.
Upon conclusion of the initial phase, set to span 42 days, 65 hostages are expected to remain in Gaza. Negotiations for their release, with some individuals potentially deceased, are slated to commence on the 16th day of the ceasefire.
In a statement released on Saturday, the committee representing the families of captives urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to take swift action to ensure the release of their loved ones.
“We urgently urge the prompt establishment of arrangements to ensure the implementation of all phases of the agreement, and stress the necessity for negotiations concerning subsequent phases to commence prior to the sixteenth day.”
As the ceasefire deadline approaches, reports indicate that regime forces continue to conduct heavy bombardment of Gaza, according to a statement shared by Press TV’s correspondent in northern Gaza on platform X.
According to reports from Gaza’s Civil Defense, at least 122 individuals have lost their lives and 270 have sustained injuries due to actions carried out by regime forces following the announcement of a recent agreement.
The newly announced truce agreement is anticipated to bring a halt to over 15 months of intense and deadly operations conducted by Israel in the blockaded Palestinian territories, which have resulted in significant human suffering.
Analysts suggest that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, noted for his past breaches of ceasefire agreements, may pose a risk to the stability of the deal.
