Israel has been carrying out airstrikes at Hamas targets in Gaza Strip

New Delhi:

The Israeli military has requested Gaza Strip residents to share actionable information about the locations where Hamas has kept Israeli hostages.

In a post on X, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) offered money for giving accurate information that could lead to rescue of the hostages.

The IDF also promised protection and confidentiality of those who give information about where the hostages are being held.

Some 220 hostages are still in Hamas’ captivity.

“If your will is to live in peace and to have a better future for your children, do the humanitarian deed immediately and share verified and valuable information about hostages being held in your area,” the IDF said.

“The Israeli military assures you that it will invest maximum effort in providing security for you and your home, and you will receive a financial reward.  We guarantee you complete confidentiality,” it said.

“The contact details are: Secure phone call: 8619 WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal: +972503957992,” the IDF said in the post on X, which also has the same message in Arabic.

If your will is to live in peace and to have a better future for your children, do the humanitarian deed immediately and share verified and valuable information about hostages being held in your area. The Israeli military assures you that it will invest maximum effort in… pic.twitter.com/FhlXR7ZjF5

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 24, 2023

Israel continues to strike at Hamas targets in Gaza, one of the most densely populated places in the world. It has accused Hamas of keeping civilians near rocket-launching sites to use them as human shields.

Two elderly Hamas hostages were airlifted to an Israeli hospital to be reunited with family today, as the US demanded Hamas release more than 200 other captives before Gaza ceasefire talks are considered.

Hamas stormed into Israel from the Gaza Strip on October 7, and killed at least 1,400 people, mostly civilians who were shot or burnt to death on the first day of the raid, according to Israeli officials.

Hamas also took 222 people hostage, among them elderly people and young children, according to the Israeli authorities’ latest count. The hostages include dozens of dual nationals and foreigners.

More than 5,000 Palestinians, mainly civilians, have been killed across the Gaza Strip in retaliatory Israeli bombardments, according to the latest number of dead from the Hamas health ministry in Gaza.

Nurit Cooper, 79, and Yocheved Lifshitz, 85, and their octogenarian husbands were among the hostages seized on October 7. Hamas released Ms Cooper and Ms Lifshitz on Monday citing “compelling humanitarian” reasons, after mediation by Qatar and Egypt.

Their release comes days after a US mother and daughter were freed.

With inputs from AFP