Hamas demands Israel halt attacks, warns hostages’ lives at risk

The Palestinian militant organization Hamas has urgently called on the Israeli army to cease its attacks on Gaza City for 24 hours.

The lives of two Israeli hostages are in real danger, according to a statement from the military wing of Hamas, the al-Qassam Brigades.

The troops must also immediately withdraw to an area south of Street 8 in Gaza City so that an attempt can be made to “extract” the two hostages. This, they said, is a warning.

The demand for a halt to the attacks is to take effect from 6 pm (1500 GMT), the statement said.

The al-Qassam Brigades had earlier stated that contact with the two hostages had been lost in the last 48 hours due to the intense Israeli attacks in the city.

It was initially unclear whether Israel would comply with the demand.

The relatives of the 48 remaining hostages – including 20 still alive – have repeatedly warned of the danger a ground offensive in Gaza City poses to their loved ones.