Israel Denies Hamas Hostage List, IDF Conducts Drone Strikes in Gaza

Israel Denies Hamas Hostage List, IDF Conducts Drone Strikes

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refuted reports claiming Hamas provided a list of hostages for release in a potential ceasefire agreement. This denial follows reports by a UK-based news agency that Hamas had approved a list of 34 hostages in exchange for a ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

Netanyahu's office stated, "Contrary to what was claimed, Hamas has not forwarded a list of names of hostages until this moment." This comes as Netanyahu leads the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) on multiple fronts across the Middle East.

Meanwhile, the IDF has conducted drone strikes against Hamas operatives in southern Gaza. The targeted compound in the Khan Younis area was used by Hamas to plan attacks against troops in Gaza and Israel. The IDF also conducted a separate strike in the Deir al-Balah area targeting a Palestinian Islamic Jihad operative who had conducted previous attacks from the area.

In a recent operation in northern Gaza's Jabalia, the IDF killed a Palestinian Islamic Jihad company commander who participated in the October 7, 2023, onslaught. Saad Said Zaki Dahnon, an Islamic Jihad company commander and deputy head of the terror group's rocket division in northern Gaza, was killed in a close-quarters battle with troops of the Givati Brigade.

Dahnon had infiltrated Israel and participated in the October 7 attack, and was also involved in several attacks against troops in the Beit Lahiya area. The IDF released a video showing Dahnon and another operative attempting to approach soldiers under the cover of darkness and rainy weather.

Dahnon was killed, while the second operative surrendered and was brought to Israel for questioning.