Hamas hostages freed by Israeli soldiers

The bloodshed in Gaza continues, following a surprise attack by the Palestinian armed group Hamas, an attack described as the worst in decades. The Israeli Prime Minister threatens a “long and difficult war” to “exterminate the invaders”, while Hamas stresses that the attack has just begun.

The West is watching the new resurgence of violence in the Middle East with surprise as the casualties mount rapidly. Already the death toll on both sides exceeds 500, thousands are wounded, and there are many hostages, a powerful “weapon” in the hands of the warring sides.

The latest information from foreign media reports the release of hostages, while Hamas stresses that it is holding many more than Israel says.

The Israelis held captive by Hamas after Saturday’s surprise raids on several Israeli towns are “many more” than a few dozen, a Hamas spokesman claimed in a taped statement broadcast shortly after midnight on Saturday.

The Hamas spokesman said that the Israeli prisoners had been transferred to different parts of the Gaza Strip.

Israeli soldiers released two civilians held hostage by gunmen inside a house in the city of Ofakim (southwest), killing the four attackers, Israeli media reported.

It noted that a child was among the two released hostages.

Three Israeli soldiers were wounded during the operation.

Earlier, Israeli television had reported that hostages were released in Kibbutz Be’eri in southern Israel, where there was a shootout between Hamas militants and Israeli soldiers.

According to reports, the gunmen holding hostages in a restaurant were “neutralized”. The number of hostages released was not specified.

Yesterday, Saturday, the Israeli N12 network reported that there are about 50 hostages in Kibbutz Be’eri.

(Times of Israel, BBC, Haaretz, in.gr)