On Saturday, September 20 local time, Israeli military strikes on Gaza City and the entire Gaza Strip continued.According to the Palestinian health department in the Gaza Strip, Saturday’s airstrikes and ground operations have killed at least 34 Palestinians, wounded dozens, destroyed numerous houses and forced thousands to flee again.
As Israel's offensive begins, 10 countries, including Australia, Belgium, the United Kingdom, and Canada, plan to officially recognize Palestine as an independent state next Monday (September 22).
Hamas releases ‘adieu photo’ of hostages
Faced with Israeli destruction and control of Gaza’s largest city centre, Hamas’s armed branch of the Qassam Brigade also responded harshly on Saturday, publicly publishing “adieu photos” of 48 Israeli prisoners on an online platform.
In this photo, the faces of all surviving and deceased prisoners are clearly visible, with the words "Ron Alad" underneath each face. Official data show that Ron Alad was an Israeli air force captain who disappeared in Lebanon in 1986 and whose F-4 "ghost" fighter jet was detonated early by the bomb, he was then captured by the Amal Movement and transferred to Hezbollah, where he remains unknown.
Hamas attached a letter to the photo, pointing directly to Israel’s highest levels: “The rejection of Netanyahu’s compromise with Zamil, the start of the military operation in Gaza City, this farewell photo was the result.”
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, mentioned by Hamas in the article, has repeatedly refused to reach a ceasefire agreement with Hamas to end the conflict; Although Israeli Chief of General Staff Zamir publicly opposed Israel's military occupation plan of Gaza City, he ultimately led the expanded ground and air attacks.
Israeli authorities say there are about 20 prisoners still alive in Gaza, while U.S. President Donald Trump believes there are less than 20 survivors.
But both have repeatedly stated that they will bring back all the surviving and dead prisoners and destroy Hamas.
Hamas has repeatedly warned that continued Israeli airstrikes and ground attacks have directly threatened the security of hostages and that some have died in the Israeli bombing.
Hundreds of thousands of Israelis are expected to rise to the streets of Tel Aviv and other cities, condemning Israeli policies, demanding an immediate comprehensive agreement to end the war and bring back all the captives.
Israel's "Forum of Hostages and Missing Families" said that it will hold a rally in Hostage Square in Tel Aviv at 8 p.m. Israel time, and another rally in Paris Square near the official residence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem at 8:30 p.m. Another rally.
In a press release, the forum said: “The trend has gone and our brothers and sisters have suffered 713 days under [Hamas] rule, and now there is no other time to save them.
Guest speakers at the Tel Aviv rally included: Yotam Cohen, brother of captured soldier Nimrod Cohen, Hanna Cohen, a slain hostage and aunt of the last female captive, Inbar Hayman, Alon Nimrodi, father of captured soldier Tamir Nimrodi; And a reservist who opposed continuing the war.