Israeli army confirms hostage’s death in Gaza during rescue attempt

By Zein Khalil

JERUSALEM (AA) – The Israeli military confirmed on Wednesday the death of a hostage held by Hamas during a rescue attempt in the Gaza Strip.

Sahar Baruch was killed during an operation by special forces to rescue him in the Gaza Strip on Dec. 8, the Israeli public broadcaster KAN reported.

“Representatives of the Israeli army informed Baruch's family today that their son Sahar was killed during a rescue attempt by special forces on Dec. 8,” KAN said.

The army did not specify whether Baruch was killed by Hamas or Israeli forces.

On Dec. 7, Hamas released a video of Baruch, 25, saying he was a worker in a print shop in a settlement near the Gaza border. The video concluded with an image of his body after his death.

At that time, Hamas’ armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, said that Baruch was killed during an Israeli attempt to release him in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas is believed to be holding at least 129 Israeli hostages following the Oct. 7 attack, in which nearly 1,200 Israelis are believed to have been killed.

Israel has launched relentless air and ground attacks following the Hamas attack, killing at least 22,313 Palestinians and injuring 57,296 others.

The Israeli onslaught has left Gaza in ruins, with 60% of the enclave’s infrastructure damaged or destroyed, and nearly 2 million residents displaced amid acute shortages of food, clean water, and medicines.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala