The Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) reported that Israeli troops used an aid truck to rescue four Israeli hostages in central Gaza’s Nuseirat camp over the weekend. The Red Cross’s local Palestinian branch warned of the danger of occupation forces using aid vehicles for infiltration, raising concerns about the safety of relief teams. The Israeli army denied the allegations, stating that they did not enter Nuseirat in aid trucks.
The four hostages held in Gaza since October 7 were released during the military operation in Nuseirat refugee camp on Saturday. The operation resulted in at least 274 Palestinians killed and 698 wounded, overwhelming local hospitals’ capacities. Israeli forces have previously disguised themselves as civilian aid workers to reach targets, such as in a previous operation in a hospital in Jenin.
The conflict in Gaza escalated after Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, resulting in the deaths of 1,194 people, mostly civilians. The militants also abducted 251 hostages during the attack. Following a November truce and a recent rescue mission, 116 hostages remain in Gaza, with 41 of them reported dead. Israel’s offensive in Gaza has killed at least 37,124 people, mostly civilians, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory.