Hamas Israel War Hostage Crisis

Concerns grew among Israelis on Wednesday over the fate of dozens of hostages still held captive in Gaza following the killing of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

The Gaza Strip is suffering an unfolding humanitarian catastrophe nearly seven months since Israel launched a devastating offensive in response to the Oct. 7 Hamas-led attacks that killed 1,200 people in Israel.

US President Joe Biden called on Hamas on Tuesday to accept a Gaza ceasefire deal by the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, while the Palestinian oppressive group warned talks for a truce and hostage release cannot go on "indefinitely".

Israel announced on Monday the successful rescue of two hostages in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, sparking both relief and renewed concerns over the escalating humanitarian crisis in the region.

With Israel's construction sector suffering a severe manpower crisis post the October 7 conflict with Hamas, some 10,000 workers from India are to make their way starting next week, industry sources said on Wednesday.

Over a month after Hamas's surprise attack on Israel led to the deadliest war the region has seen in many decade, the Palestinian group's chief Ismail Haniyeh said the two sides are closing in on a truce.

Although Biden's visit is described as a show of strong support to Israel, it also sends a warning to regional powers such as Iran and Hezbollah against escalating the situation.

Hamas has said it has hidden the hostages in "safe places and tunnels" within Gaza and threatened to kill them if civilian homes are bombed by Israel without warning.

Concerns grew among Israelis on Wednesday over the fate of dozens of hostages still held captive in Gaza following the killing of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

The Gaza Strip is suffering an unfolding humanitarian catastrophe nearly seven months since Israel launched a devastating offensive in response to the Oct. 7 Hamas-led attacks that killed 1,200 people in Israel.

US President Joe Biden called on Hamas on Tuesday to accept a Gaza ceasefire deal by the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, while the Palestinian oppressive group warned talks for a truce and hostage release cannot go on "indefinitely".

Israel announced on Monday the successful rescue of two hostages in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, sparking both relief and renewed concerns over the escalating humanitarian crisis in the region.

With Israel's construction sector suffering a severe manpower crisis post the October 7 conflict with Hamas, some 10,000 workers from India are to make their way starting next week, industry sources said on Wednesday.

Over a month after Hamas's surprise attack on Israel led to the deadliest war the region has seen in many decade, the Palestinian group's chief Ismail Haniyeh said the two sides are closing in on a truce.

Although Biden's visit is described as a show of strong support to Israel, it also sends a warning to regional powers such as Iran and Hezbollah against escalating the situation.

Hamas has said it has hidden the hostages in "safe places and tunnels" within Gaza and threatened to kill them if civilian homes are bombed by Israel without warning.