The Palestinian group says an expanded Israeli ground invasion and air raids threaten the safety of the captives held in Gaza.Published On 20 Sep 202520 Sep 2025Click here to share on social mediashare2ShareThe armed wing of Hamas has released what it calls a “farewell picture” of 48 Israeli captives held in Gaza as the Israeli army continues to destroy and seize the besieged enclave’s largest urban centre.Qassam Brigades posted a compilation photo online on Saturday, showing the faces of all living and deceased captives, with each of them captioned “Ron Arad” in reference to the Israeli air force captain who went missing in Lebanon in 1986.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of listArad’s F-4 Phantom suffered a premature bomb detonation during an attack on southern Lebanon. He was captured by the Amal Movement and later handed over to Hezbollah. Arad is believed to have died, but conclusive proof is not available about his fate.The image released by Hamas was accompanied by a text, stating: “Because of Netanyahu’s refusal, and Zamir’s capitulation, a farewell picture as the military operation in Gaza City begins.”That was a reference to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s repeated rejection of any agreement with Hamas to put an end to the genocidal war in Gaza, and the expanding ground and air attacks led by Israeli army chief Eyal Zamir, despite his public objections to the government’s “conquest” plans for Gaza City. Israeli army chief Eyal Zamir (left) is seen visiting troops and commanders in Gaza [Handout via Israel’s army]Israeli authorities have said they believe about 20 captives are still being held alive in Gaza, whereas United States President Donald Trump has suggested fewer than 20 could be alive. Trump and Netanyahu have repeatedly said they will bring back all living and dead captives and “destroy” Hamas. Advertisement Hamas has persistently warned that intensifying Israeli attacks and a ground invasion would endanger the lives of the captives, with some already being killed by Israeli bombs. The armed Palestinian group also claims that captives are “scattered throughout the neighbourhoods” of Gaza City.The threat by Hamas on Saturday came hours before hundreds of thousands of Israelis were once again expected to pour into the streets of Tel Aviv and other cities to denounce the government and demand an immediate and comprehensive deal to end the war and bring back all captives.Earlier this month, Hamas released a video of two Israeli captives, a move that came roughly a month after it broadcast footage of two more emaciated Israeli captives, one …
