Hamas Ready To Release 199 Hostages If Israel Stops Attacks

Iran’s Foreign Ministry claimed on Monday, October 16, that the militant Hamas group was prepared to release its hostages if Israel stopped its airstrikes near the Gaza Strip as at least 199 hostages had now been taken by the terrorists.

Nasser Kanaani, spokesman for Iran’s foreign ministry, said at a news conference in Tehran that although Hamas officials are “ready” to release hostages, doing so would be “impossible” given Israeli airstrikes in the area.

The terror group “stated that they are ready to take necessary measures to release the citizens and civilians held by resistant groups, but their point was that such measures require preparations that are impossible under daily bombardment by the Zionists against various parts of Gaza,” Kanaani (pictured below) said.

It came at the same time that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Monday that there are currently at least 199 hostages being held in Gaza, a much higher number than previously thought.

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Families have been informed, according to Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, spokesman for the Israeli military. He did not specify how many of those held captive were foreigners or who was holding them, although the majority are thought to be held by Hamas, which rules Gaza.

According to reports, the Iranian government backs Hamas, and Iranian security personnel are widely believed to have assisted the terrorist organization in planning its sex attack on Israel on October 7.

Iran has warned that if Israel launches a highly anticipated ground offensive in the Gaza Strip in the upcoming days, it may also join the war.

Since the start of the war, there have been over 1,400 Israeli deaths, over 3,500 injuries, and at least 100 hostages taken. The death toll is anticipated to increase as a result of Hamas terrorists firing thousands of rockets and sending dozens of militants into Israeli towns.