Hamas has released footage that appears to show the death of an elderly hostage who was kidnapped by the terrorist group. Arye Zalmanovich, 86, was taken from his home in Kibbutz Nir Oz during Hamas’ attack on October 7. The video shows Mr. Zalmanovich lying on a hospital bed, connected to a monitoring machine, and appearing unwell. He can be heard saying, “I’m feeling not good.” Another clip shows what seems to be his lifeless body, partially covered by a white sheet.
Following the attack last month, in which Hamas killed 1,200 people and took 240 hostages, Israel has vowed to annihilate the group. In other news, a first shipment of fuel entered Gaza from Egypt after Israel agreed to a US request to allow limited deliveries. This comes as the UN agencies raise concerns about the dire situation faced by the 2.4 million Palestinians trapped in the besieged enclave.
In addition, the US has issued sanctions targeting Iran-aligned militia groups that it accuses of being involved in attacks against US and coalition troops in Iraq and Syria. Meanwhile, Gaza’s once popular beach has been transformed into an Israeli military stronghold, as tanks and bulldozers can be seen guarding the area. Telecom services in Gaza have also been partially restored after the entry of a limited quantity of fuel.
Israel claims to have found a stash of mortars inside a kindergarten in northern Gaza, following the alleged discovery of a Hamas tunnel shaft and weapons at Gaza’s Al-Shifa hospital complex on Thursday. Activists have also staged a protest at the offices of Fox News in New York over their coverage of the war in Gaza. Furthermore, five countries, including South Africa and Bangladesh, have called for an International Criminal Court investigation into the Israel-Hamas war.
Finally, the Israeli army used tanks to draw a large Star of David in the dirt of a former Hamas training ground in Gaza City as a mark of victory. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, during his visit to Berlin, stated that he sees all faiths as equal and rejected claims that his criticism of Israel had anti-Semitic undertones.
