'Almost 50' hostages killed in Israeli airstrikes, claims Hamas

Hamas’s military wing on Thursday claimed “almost 50” hostages were killed due to Israeli airstrikes. Abu Obeida, spokesperson for the Hamas’s military wing, the al-Qassam Brigades gave the update regarding the hostage situation in a statement through Telegram.

“Al-Qassam Brigades estimates that the number of Zionist prisoners who were killed in the Gaza Strip as a result of Zionist strikes and massacres has reached almost 50,” Obeida said in Telegram, reported AFP.

As Israel prepares for ground attack, ‘targeted raids’ are launched in Gaza as ‘next stage of combat’.

Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said it killed deputy head of Hamas intelligence, Shadi Barud, in a strike in the Gaza Strip. IDF accused Barud of planning the October 7 Hamas attacks in southern Israel.

Amid Israel-Hamas intensifying conflict, European Union leaders meet is underway in Brussels.

With the looming ground attack, Iran's foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian warned if Israel's retaliation against Hamas militants in Gaza does not end then the US will "not be spared from this fire".

“The Islamic Republic of Iran stands ready to play its part in this very important humanitarian endeavor, along with Qatar and Turkey. Naturally, the release of the 6,000 Palestinian prisoners is another necessity and responsibility of the global community,” Amirabdollahian was quoted by Reuters.

Meanwhile, a delegation from Hamas visited Moscow on Thursday for talks on the release of foreign hostages including Russian citizens that the militant group is holding in Gaza.

Senior Hamas member Abu Marzouk was among those attending the talks, reported TASS.

"Contacts were held with him in continuation of the Russian line on the immediate release of foreign hostages in the Gaza Strip. Issues related to ensuring the evacuation of Russian and other foreign citizens from the territory of the Palestinian enclave were also discussed," TASS said.

Russia has repeatedly blamed the current crisis on the failure of US diplomacy and called for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and resume talks for peace settlement.

IDF has accused Hamas of holding around 222 hostages in Gaza. So far, four hostages were released by Hamas.