ALBAWABA - The Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported on Saturday that Hamas is expected to relocate more hostages to Gaza City as the Israeli army pushes forward with its “Chariots of Gideon 2” operation, aimed at seizing full control of the city.
According to Israeli military assessments, Hamas plans to move the hostages primarily from Khan Younis, taking advantage of the chaos created by large crowds heading south. The estimates came shortly after Hamas released a video showing two Israeli hostages — Guy Gilboa Dalal and, for the first time, Alon Ohel.
The report comes amid intensified Israeli airstrikes targeting residential towers across Gaza City, which Israel claims are being used by Hamas for intelligence gathering and military operations.
Families Informed as Tensions Rise
Anat Engrest, the mother of kidnapped Israeli citizen Matan Engrest, published a recording of a phone call with an Israeli military representative during a protest in Jerusalem. In the call, she was told that “the danger has increased and continues to escalate as the maneuver intensifies.”
Yedioth Ahronoth also reported that several families of other hostages have recently been informed that their loved ones are believed to be alive and held inside Gaza City.
Operation Could Last a Year
Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said the operation in Gaza City could continue for up to a year, citing the extensive underground tunnel network beneath the city and the hostages believed to be held inside them.
Military officials confirmed that locating and dismantling Hamas’s strategic infrastructure remains the biggest challenge. According to Israeli estimates, the tunnels stretch across kilometers of reinforced underground bases, some of which are believed to be used to hide hostages.
