Israeli army says 239 hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza Strip

By Said Amouri

JERUSALEM (AA) – The Israeli army said late Sunday that 239 people are being held by the Palestinian group Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Speaking at a press conference broadcast by Israeli Army Radio, spokesman Daniel Hagari said the families of 239 abductees in Gaza have been informed that their relatives are being held by Hamas.

Hagari pointed out that foreign workers are among the prisoners.

He noted that the authorities have identified 40 other people who were previously deemed missing.

Hagari vowed to pursue Hamas's Gaza leader Yahya Sinwar “until we reach him.”

On a possible ground operation in the Gaza Strip, he said “we continue to expand the ground operation in a gradual manner. We will do our best to ensure the safety of our forces.”

Hagari claimed that the Israeli army had eliminated dozens of Palestinian militants in Gaza today, including leaders at the tactical level of Hamas.

*Writing by Mahmoud Barakat