The youngest Israeli hostage in Gaza, Kfir Bibas, has died in captivity along with his brother and mother, according to Hamas, as Israel’s prime minister vowed to resume the offensive on the enclave.
Hamas, the militant group that controls Gaza, announced on Monday that it had killed three Israeli hostages, including a 10-month-old baby, in retaliation for Israel’s continued airstrikes and blockade on the territory. The hostages were identified as Kfir Bibas, the youngest person to be taken hostage by Hamas, his four-year-old brother Ariel, and their mother Shira.
Hamas said in a statement that the hostages were executed after Israel refused to release more Palestinian prisoners and lift the siege on Gaza, as part of the terms of the ceasefire that was brokered by Qatar last week. Hamas also accused Israel of violating the truce by carrying out “aggressive and provocative” actions, such as targeting Hamas’s leaders and facilities, and preventing the entry of humanitarian aid and fuel into Gaza.
The statement said that Hamas still holds 91 Israeli hostages, and warned that they would face the same fate as the Bibas family if Israel does not comply with its demands. Hamas also said that it was ready to resume the rocket fire on Israel if the ceasefire collapses.
Israel’s Response
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the killing of the hostages as a “barbaric and cowardly” act, and vowed to retaliate with full force. He said that Israel would not bow to Hamas’s “blackmail and terror”, and would do everything in its power to bring back the remaining hostages alive. He also said that Israel would not hesitate to resume its military operation on Gaza, which he called “Operation Protective Edge 2”, if Hamas continues to threaten Israel’s security.
Netanyahu said that Israel had agreed to the ceasefire in order to facilitate the exchange of hostages and prisoners, and to ease the humanitarian situation in Gaza, but that Hamas had exploited the truce to rearm and regroup. He said that Israel had released 60 Palestinian prisoners since the ceasefire went into effect, but that Hamas had only released 58 hostages, some of whom were not Israelis⁵. He also said that Israel had allowed the entry of some aid and fuel into Gaza, but that Hamas had diverted them to its own use.
Netanyahu said that Israel holds Hamas responsible for the lives of the hostages and the civilians in Gaza, and that Israel would not tolerate any attacks or provocations from Hamas or any other terrorist group. He said that Israel would continue to defend itself and its citizens, and that it would not rest until it restores peace and security to the region.
The killing of the hostages and the threat of war have sparked international concern and condemnation, as the UN Security Council is due to meet in an emergency session later on Monday to discuss the crisis. The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an immediate end to the violence and the respect for the ceasefire, and urged both sides to show restraint and responsibility. He has also appealed for the release of all hostages and prisoners, and for the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers.
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