Israel-Palestine War: Hamas militants take 17 Nepali nationals hostage
Gaza: Hamas militants, who infiltrated the southern towns of Israel from the Gaza Strip after launching a massive rocket attack on the country, have taken 17 Nepali nationals as hostage, according to Nepal’s Ambassador to Israel, news agency ANI reported.
Seven Nepali citizens sustained injuries in Israel were also injured in the attacks, the ambassador said, ANI reported.
Hamas insurgents have also abducted Israeli soldiers and civilians after entering the country following an unprecedented barrage of rocket attacks.
#WATCH | Ashkelon, Israel: Visuals from the street of Ashkelon as Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas launched the biggest attack on Israel in years, in a surprise assault that combined gunmen crossing the border with a heavy barrage of rockets fired from the Gaza Strip.… pic.twitter.com/axxvGCsGTD
— ANI (@ANI) October 7, 2023
After the unprecedented assault that has left at least 100 dead in Israel, the country declared 'Operation Iron Swords' against Hamas militants, involving a coordinated operation by the Israel Air Force.
Dozens of fighter jets have been deployed to target the Hamas militant group in various locations across the Gaza Strip, media reports said.
On Saturday morning, Hamas launched approximately 5,000 rockets into Israel, an action that has garnered widespread condemnation from global leaders.
Just surreal! Footage of Palestinian Hamas terrorists who infiltrated into Israel from Gaza, firing at residents in Sderot from an SUV. pic.twitter.com/ffUO5XwG1I
— Arsen Ostrovsky (@Ostrov_A) October 7, 2023
As per an Al Jazeera report, the Hamas militant group released footage of them capturing Israeli soldiers.
Hamas also released a video showing its fighters had captured three men, who are seen dressed in civilian clothes, as per a report by AFP.
In the video signs in Hebrew can be seen in the background, suggesting the footage was filmed on the Israeli side of the Erez crossing between Israel and the Gaza Strip.
Hamas spokesperson Khaled Qadomi defended the group's actions in an interview with Al Jazeera, stating that the operation was a response to the atrocities Palestinians have faced over the years. He said the militant group wants the international community to intervene and halt the alleged atrocities in Gaza and against Palestinian holy sites like Al-Aqsa.
Qadomi claimed, "They are not hostages. They are prisoners of war." He further justified the group's actions by labeling the Israeli settlers as "occupiers and invaders" under international law.
Meanwhile, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has called for the immediate release of the Israeli hostages.
In a message on X, Borrell conveyed his deep concern regarding the abduction of civilians. He underscored that such conduct is in violation of international law and called for the prompt release of the hostages
