Wednesday, November 29, 2023

As Israel awaits 6th set of hostages, Netanyahu vows war will resume after ceasefire

As Israel awaits 6th set of hostages, Netanyahu vows war will resume after ceasefire
The Times of Israel is liveblogging Wednesday




IDF says checking ‘cruel’ Hamas claims regarding Bibas family hostages; Hamas said mother, two children killed

The Israel Defense Forces says it has notified the Bibas family of a Hamas statement regarding three of the family members who are being held hostage by the terror group.

Hamas claimed earlier today, in an unverified statement, that mother Shira, four-year-old Ariel and 10-month-old baby Kfir were killed.

“The Hamas terror organization continues to act in a cruel and inhumane manner,” the IDF says, adding that it is investigating the veracity of the information published by Hamas.

The Bibas family, including baby Kfir, was transferred by Hamas to another Palestinian terror group in Gaza, according to the IDF.

Kfir was kidnapped by Hamas from Kibbutz Nir Oz along with his brother Ariel and parents Yarden, 34, and Shiri, 32, when terrorists rampaged through southern communities on October 7.

The IDF says Hamas bears responsibility for the safety of all the hostages being held in the Gaza Strip, even those held by other factions.

“Hamas endangers the hostages, including nine children. Hamas is required to immediately return them to Israel,” the IDF says.


As Israel awaits 6th set of hostages, Netanyahu vows war will resume after truce

Amid talks to extend the ceasefire in Gaza, Prime Minister Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists Israel will resume its military campaign to topple Hamas.

In a video statement, Netanyahu says the chief goals of the war are “eliminating” the Gaza-ruling terror group, bringing home all hostages taken in the October 7 massacres, and ensuring the enclave “never again returns to being a threat to Israel.”

Ahead of the expected release of a sixth group of hostages this evening, Netanyahu hails the return of abducted Israelis, which he says last week sounded “imaginary.”

“In recent days I’ve heard a question: Will Israel return to fighting after this stage of returning our hostages is over? My response is an unequivocal yes,” the premier says. “There is no way we won’t return to fighting until the end.”


Military says 2 senior terror operatives killed in West Bank operation

Border Police, the Israel Defense Forces and Shin Bet say troops killed two senior terror operatives in the West Bank’s Jenin refugee camp.

Another two Palestinians were reported killed amid clashes in the area.

The joint statement says troops killed Muhammad Zubeidi, a senior Palestinian Islamic Jihad operative in the Jenin camp who was responsible for several shooting attacks in the area, and Hussam Hanoun, another local operative.

The Shin Bet says Zubeidi was involved in a terror attack near the settlement of Hermesh in May, in which Meir Tamari was killed, and another attack in June, in which a civilian and four soldiers were wounded. It says Zubeidi was involved in planning the attacks and providing the car for the attacks.


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