The Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces, Herzi Halevi, threatened that attacks on Palestinians in the Gaza Strip would continue until Israeli captives return to their country. According to a written statement from the Israeli army, Chief of Staff Halevi conducted an assessment of the situation in Jabalia, northern Gaza, with Southern Command Commander Major General Yaron Finkelman, 162nd Division Commander Brigadier General Itzik Cohen, and commanders in the Gaza Strip. HE THREATENED OPENLYHalevi stated, "We will not stop; we will bring Hamas to the point where they understand that all the abducted must be returned." Chief of Staff Halevi threatened that if Hamas does not release the Israeli captives, more Palestinians will be arrested and will die. While there are more than 10,300 Palestinians in Israeli prisons, it is estimated that there are 100 Israeli captives in the Gaza Strip. Hamas announced that dozens of captives have died in Israel's random attacks. Since October 7, more than 45,885 Palestinians have been killed, including over 17,800 children and approximately 12,300 women, and 109,196 people have been injured in the attacks carried out by Israel on the Gaza Strip. It has been reported that thousands of dead are still under the rubble, while civilian infrastructure is being destroyed by targeting hospitals and educational institutions where the public has sought refuge.
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