Israeli forces have taken more than 1,000 people captive in the war against Hamas in Gaza, Israel’s military chief said on Sunday. The IDF chief said that when combatants “lay down their arms, raise their hands, we arrest them, we don’t shoot them.”
Israel’s army said on Sunday it had found a vast Hamas tunnel as it pressed its offensive in Gaza despite growing international calls for a ceasefire and pleas from relatives to bring home the remaining hostages.
The biggest Hamas tunnel so far was found near the border crossing at Erez — large enough for small vehicles to use, an AFP photographer reported. Israel said the tunnel cost millions of dollars and took years to construct, featuring rails, electricity, drainage and a communications network.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “We will fight until the end. We will achieve all of our aims” — eliminating Hamas, freeing all hostages and ensuring that Gaza will not again become “a centre for terrorism.”
Two Egyptian security sources told Reuters on Sunday that Israel and Hamas are both open to a renewed ceasefire and hostage release, although disagreements remain on how it would be implemented.
Israel opened a direct crossing for aid into Gaza for the first time in its more than two-month-old war on Hamas on Sunday but also stepped up attacks on the Palestinian enclave, saying military pressure was the only way its hostages would be freed.
