**Hamas Releases ‘Farewell Picture’ of Israeli Captives Amid Gaza Offensive**

*By Snehil Singh | Sep 21, 2025, 10:19 AM*

Hamas’s armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, has released a poignant “farewell picture” of 48 Israeli captives on social media. The image includes both living and deceased individuals, all collectively identified as “Ron Arad,” a reference to an Israeli air force officer who disappeared in Lebanon in 1986.

This release comes as Israeli forces intensify their offensive on Gaza City, focusing on underground tunnels and booby-trapped buildings in a bid to dismantle Hamas’s infrastructure.

**Hamas Sends Message to Israeli Leadership**

Alongside the image, Hamas issued a direct message to Israeli leaders. The group criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for what it called “intransigence,” and Army Chief Eyal Zamir for “submission.” The statement read:
“Because of Netanyahu’s intransigence and Zamir’s submission: A farewell picture at the start of the operation in Gaza City.”

These remarks arrive amid fierce fighting in Gaza City, with recent Israeli strikes reportedly killing at least 60 Palestinians.

**Hostage Situation Remains Dire**

Hamas claims the captives are dispersed across various neighborhoods in Gaza City and are at significant risk due to ongoing Israeli bombings. Previously, Hamas released videos showing the hostages in poor health, including one disturbing clip of a captive apparently digging his own grave.

These videos have drawn condemnation from hostage families and international allies, including the United States, who describe such releases as psychological warfare.

**Public Outcry and Protests in Israel**

The publication of the “farewell” picture has sparked outrage, with mass protests expected to unfold in Tel Aviv and other Israeli cities. Demonstrators are demanding that the government take immediate action to secure the release of captives and work toward ending the conflict.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military continues its operation against Gaza City, targeting underground shafts and booby-trapped sites.

**Intensified Demolition Campaign in Gaza**

Israel has also ramped up its demolition campaign against high-rise buildings in Gaza City. Military efforts are concentrated on the Sheikh Radwan and Tel Al-Hawa neighborhoods. Recent estimates suggest that up to 20 tower blocks have been destroyed in the last two weeks.

Israeli media report that more than 500,000 residents have fled Gaza since early September, although Hamas disputes these figures.

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*Social media continues to circulate the controversial “farewell picture,” fueling heightened tensions as the conflict escalates.*
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/world/hamas-shares-farewell-photo-of-48-israeli-captives/story

**Hamas Releases ‘Farewell Picture’ of Israeli Captives Amid Gaza Offensive**

*By Snehil Singh | September 21, 2025, 10:19 AM*

Hamas’s armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, has released a “farewell picture” showing 48 Israeli captives on social media. The photo includes both living and deceased individuals, all identified under the name “Ron Arad”—a reference to an Israeli air force officer who disappeared in Lebanon in 1986.

### Context of the Release

The image comes as Israeli forces intensify their offensive in Gaza City, targeting underground tunnels and booby-trapped buildings. The military campaign aims to dismantle Hamas’s operational capabilities amid escalating conflict.

### Message to Israeli Leadership

Alongside the image, Hamas issued a pointed message directed at Israeli authorities. The group accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of “intransigence” and Army Chief Eyal Zamir of “submission,” stating:

*”Because of Netanyahu’s intransigence and Zamir’s submission: A farewell picture at the start of the operation in Gaza City.”*

This statement underscores Hamas’s criticism of Israel’s handling of the ongoing conflict.

### Hostage Situation and Concerns

Hamas claims the Israeli captives are dispersed across neighborhoods in Gaza City and are at risk due to ongoing Israeli airstrikes. In earlier communications, Hamas released videos showing hostages in poor health conditions, including one disturbing clip of a captive digging what appeared to be his own grave.

These videos have been widely condemned by hostage families and the international community—including the United States—who regard them as attempts at psychological warfare.

### Public Reaction in Israel

The release of the “farewell picture” has further fueled tensions within Israel, with mass protests expected in Tel Aviv and other cities. Demonstrators are calling on the government to secure a deal for the safe release of captives and to end the ongoing violence.

Meanwhile, Israel’s military continues its extensive offensive in Gaza City, focusing particularly on underground shafts and booby-trapped locations.

### Intensified Demolition Campaign in Gaza

Israel’s demolition campaign targeting high-rise buildings in Gaza City has escalated this week. The military is concentrating efforts on the Sheikh Radwan and Tel Al-Hawa neighborhoods as part of its broader assault strategy.

According to military estimates, up to 20 tower blocks have been destroyed in the past two weeks. Israeli media also report that over 500,000 residents have fled the area since early September—a figure disputed by Hamas.

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*Stay updated with the latest developments on the Gaza conflict and international responses.*

[Social media users have widely reshared the “farewell picture” as tensions continue to rise.]
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/world/hamas-shares-farewell-photo-of-48-israeli-captives/story

**Hamas Releases ‘Farewell Picture’ of Israeli Captives Amid Gaza Offensive**

*By Snehil Singh | Sep 21, 2025, 10:19 AM*

Hamas’s armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, has released a “farewell picture” of 48 Israeli captives on social media. The image, which includes both living and deceased individuals, identifies all as “Ron Arad,” referring to the Israeli air force officer who disappeared in Lebanon in 1986.

This release coincides with an intensified Israeli military offensive in Gaza City, where forces are targeting underground tunnels and booby-trapped buildings.

**Hamas Sends Message to Israeli Leadership**

Alongside the image, Hamas directed a critical message toward Israeli leaders. The group accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of “intransigence” and Army Chief Eyal Zamir of “submission,” stating:
“Because of Netanyahu’s intransigence and Zamir’s submission: A farewell picture at the start of the operation in Gaza City.”

The statement comes amid heavy fighting in Gaza City, where recent strikes have reportedly killed at least 60 Palestinians.

**Concerns Over Hostages’ Safety**

Hamas claims the captives are scattered across various neighborhoods in Gaza City and remain at grave risk due to ongoing Israeli bombardments. The group has previously released videos showing hostages in poor health. One video notably depicts a captive digging what appeared to be his own grave.

These videos have drawn strong condemnation from hostage families as well as international allies, including the United States, which denounces them as acts of psychological warfare.

**Public Outcry and Protests in Israel**

The release of the “farewell” picture is expected to fuel mass protests in Tel Aviv and other Israeli cities. Demonstrators are demanding that the Israeli government secure a deal to release the captives and call for an end to the conflict.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military continues its offensive with a focus on underground shafts and booby-trapped sites in Gaza City.

**Intensified Demolition Campaign in Gaza**

Israel has escalated its demolition campaign against high-rise buildings in Gaza City this week. Troops are concentrating efforts on the Sheikh Radwan and Tel Al-Hawa neighborhoods as part of the broader assault.

Military estimates suggest that up to 20 tower blocks have been destroyed in the last two weeks. Reports from Israeli media indicate that over 500,000 residents have fled Gaza City since early September, though Hamas disputes this figure.

—

*Stay updated on this developing story and follow reactions on social media as tensions escalate.*
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/world/hamas-shares-farewell-photo-of-48-israeli-captives/story