Israel will have to pay the price with blood… Hamas threatens to capture Gaza City, says lives of hostages are in danger

Palestinian extremist group Hamas has threatened Israel that the Israeli army’s plan to occupy Gaza city could put the lives of hostages at risk. Abu Obeida, a spokesman for Hamas’ military wing, said on Friday that the Israeli government and army would be responsible for the future of the hostages and warned that any hostage killed in the attacks would be identified by name and photograph. Obeida said that Israeli hostages are being kept in the same dangerous conditions in the war zone with its fighters.

Hamas said that ‘we will save the lives of the hostages as far as possible. They will live with our fighters in the places of conflict and will face the same dangers.’ This statement has come at a time when the Israeli army (IDF) is preparing to attack Gaza City and has already started the initial phase of the operation. Gaza City has been the center of fierce fighting in the early stages of the war and is a stronghold of Hamas.

Threat to pay the price with blood

Obeida warned that ‘the Israeli army will have to pay the price with the blood of its soldiers.’ He also feared further kidnappings. A Hamas spokesman said the group’s fighters were ‘fully alert and their morale is strong. They will teach the intruders (Israeli army) a tough lesson.’

Israeli plan to occupy Gaza

Earlier on Tuesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved a plan of action to occupy Gaza City and directed to resume negotiations for hostages on Israel’s terms. The IDF has mobilized about 60,000 reserve soldiers as it is expected to be one of its largest ground operations since the war began in October 2023. The IDF has declared Gaza City a war zone, which shows the intensity of the operation. About 1 million people are expected to be displaced from Gaza City due to Israel’s operation.