Israel obstructs release of 12 foreign hostages in Gaza, Hamas says

GAZA CITY, Palestine

Hamas said Tuesday that Israel had obstructed the release of 12 foreigners held by the Palestinian group in the Gaza Strip.

“We had planned to free 12 hostages who have foreign nationality in the past days, but the (Israeli) occupation hindered the move,” the group’s armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, said in a statement.

“We are ready to release them, but the situation on the ground and the Israeli aggression prevent this from happening,” Hamas said.

There was no comment from the Israeli authorities on the Hamas’ statement.

Hamas is believed to be holding at least 242 hostages following its cross-border attack into Israeli territory on Oct. 7.

Israel has launched an air and ground offensive on the Gaza Strip following the Hamas attack, killing at least 10,328 Palestinians, including 4,237 children and 2,719 women, according to the Health Ministry in the blockaded enclave.

Nearly 1,600 Israelis have been killed in the Gaza conflict.

*Writing by Ziad Aslan in Ankara