GAZA STRIP, 12 Feb. - (ANA) - Israeli strikes on the Gaza strip over the past 96 hours have killed two Israeli hostages and seriously injured eight others, Hamas' armed-wing, the Al Qassam Brigades, said on Sunday over the group's Telegram channel.

 

"Their conditions are becoming more dangerous in light of the inability to provide them with appropriate treatment. (Israel) bears full responsibility for the lives of those injured in light of their continued bombing," the statement said, regarding the remaining hostages.

 

Israel's chief military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said on Tuesday that 31 of the remaining hostages held by Hamas in Gaza were dead. Several were killed in Israeli strikes.

 

"We have informed 31 families that their captured loved ones are no longer among the living and that we have pronounced them dead," he told a regular media briefing.

 

Israel has said 136 hostages are still being held in Gaza. The captives were taken by Hamas in the group's surprise attack in southern Israel on October 7.

 

The massive bombardment of Gaza which followed has been unprecedented, with Israeli bombardment killing more than 28,000 people, mostly civilians.

 

During a week-long truce in late November, Hamas freed more than 100 Israeli and foreign hostages in exchange for Israel releasing about 240 Palestinian prisoners.

 

The Palestinian Prisoners Club, which documents and cares for all Palestinian detainees, issued a statement on Sunday saying the number of Palestinians who have been arrested since October 7 had reached 6,950 people.   - (ANA) -

 

AB/ANA/12 February 2024 — - -