"Hamas Kidnaps Large Number of Israeli Civilians, Saying 'My Wife and Daughter Were Taken'"

Hamas Spokesperson "Hostages Being Dispersed in Gaza Strip"
Video Shared on SNS... Families Request Confirmation of Life or Death

Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, reportedly taking dozens of civilians as hostages in addition to soldiers.

On the 8th (local time), according to US CNN and other media, Hamas military spokesperson Abu Ubaida stated the day before, "During the infiltration operation in southern Israel, we took several dozen Israeli soldiers hostage."

An Israeli family evacuating to avoid a missile attack launched from the Gaza Strip [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

In a broadcast released past midnight, he said the number of Israelis captured by Hamas is greater than several dozen, and that the hostages are being held dispersed throughout the Gaza Strip under their control.

Israeli military spokesperson Brigadier General Daniel Hagari emphasized in a briefing that day, "A significant number of hostages are held by Hamas," adding, "Many civilians as well as soldiers have been abducted, and this constitutes a 'war crime.'"

Jonathan Conricus, former international spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces, said in a CNN interview the previous day that the number of civilians captured by Hamas is "unfortunately considerable."

On social media, footage was shared showing Hamas militants taking numerous civilians hostage in Israeli settlements near the Gaza Strip.

Among the videos is one showing Israeli female university student Noah Argamani (25) pleading for her life while being carried on the back seat of a Hamas militant’s motorcycle. Her boyfriend lost consciousness and was left in the desert. Their current whereabouts and condition are unknown.

Yoni Asher (37), who lives in central Israel, saw the video and learned that his wife Doron (34) and daughters Raz (5) and Aviv (3) were taken hostage by Hamas while visiting his mother-in-law who lives near the Gaza border in Nir Oz. He told CNN that his wife and mother-in-law hold German citizenship and that he has requested assistance from the German government.

The German Foreign Ministry told CNN, "To clarify whether German citizens have been affected and to what extent, the Foreign Ministry and the German Embassy in Israel are in close contact with Israeli authorities."

An Israeli police spokesperson urged those wishing to report missing family, friends, or acquaintances to visit the nearest police station and suggested bringing personal items and photos that can be used to extract DNA for identification purposes.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.