Dror Or, a 49-year-old held captive in Gaza, has tragically passed away, marking the 38th hostage killed, as confirmed by the Hostages Families Forum on Friday. Or, along with his two children, was abducted from Kibbutz Be’eri during the attack by Hamas on Oct. 7. Regrettably, his wife, Yonat, lost her life during the same incident. Fortunately, his children, 17-year-old Noam and 13-year-old Alma, were released in November during a temporary cease-fire.
Israel has disclosed that Hamas is currently detaining approximately 100 hostages and the remains of over 30 others. Negotiations between Israel and Hamas to end the conflict in Gaza and secure the release of Israeli hostages seem to be progressing. A leaked truce proposal suggests potential compromises from both sides after months of stagnant discussions. In a positive development, Hamas announced its intention to dispatch a delegation to Egypt for further cease-fire talks.
Despite these advancements, concerns have been raised by some families regarding Israel's military objectives, which include eliminating Hamas and launching an incursion into Gaza's southern city of Rafah. This has led to demonstrations outside Israel’s military headquarters in Tel Aviv, with protestors urging authorities to prioritize the release of hostages.
US Defense Secretary Cautions Against Israeli Operation in Rafah
During a press conference in Hawaii, United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin addressed the potential consequences for Israel if it were to conduct an offensive operation in Rafah without due consideration for civilians in the area. Austin emphasized that the current conditions do not favor any such military action.
Austin stressed the importance of safeguarding civilians in the conflict zone, highlighting the significant increase in the population of Rafah from about 275,000 before the conflict to approximately 1.4 million presently. He underscored the necessity for Israel to ensure the protection of civilians before engaging in any military operations to prevent further civilian casualties.
Emphasizing the need for precision and caution, Austin reiterated that the priority should be the safety and well-being of the civilian population in the region. He made it clear that the current circumstances do not support any military operation and urged Israel to address the imminent threat to civilians in Rafah before considering any further actions.
