Espreso. Global

Ukrainians may be held hostage by Hamas - Ambassador to Israel Korniychuk

13 October, 2023 Friday
14:12

According to preliminary information from the Israeli side, which has not yet been confirmed, Ukrainian citizens may be held captive by Hamas militants

This was announced by the Ambassador of Ukraine to Israel Yevhen Korniychuk, according to Suspilne.

"It should be understood that we don't know the whereabouts of a certain number of people, and it is possible that some of them may be in captivity. This was reported to us by Israeli services, but it is not yet proven information. Please do not make a fuss, but it is most likely true," Korniychuk said.

He added that Ukrainian diplomats closely cooperate with the Israeli police in the search for Ukrainian citizens.

"We are constantly searching for people, both by DNA and fingerprints. The police help us find new people. I don't think the number (of victims - ed.) will change significantly,” he noted.

The diplomat also said that of the seven Ukrainians killed, only one citizen had a Ukrainian passport.

"This means that the other six lived in Israel permanently and also had Israeli passports. This in no way diminishes their rights as citizens of Ukraine, just for your understanding that one traveler, unfortunately, has been killed. The rest are local residents," Korniychuk said.

Suspilne notes that the day before, it was reported the number of Ukrainians killed in Israel had increased to seven. Consuls have established their personal data, are in contact with relatives, and are taking steps to repatriate the bodies. This was announced on the morning of October 12 by the spokesperson for the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Oleh Nikolenko.

Events in Israel: latest updates

On the morning of Saturday, October 7, 2023, the Palestinian armed groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad launched a massive air and land attack on the state of Israel in several places. The head of the Hamas military wing, Mohammed Deif, said that his militants had launched the Al-Aqsa Flood operation. According to him, these actions are intended to protect the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.

The Palestinians launched 2,000 to 3,000 missiles at Israel and simultaneously seized 7 communities in the south.

In response, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced the mobilization of reservists and the launch of the Iron Swords counterterrorism operation. For the first time in 50 years, the government introduced martial law in the country

The IDF actively used aviation to strike Palestinian command posts. It has also begun clearing Hamas-occupied communities.

In addition, there is a great threat that the Shiite Hezbollah could attack Israel from the north, as its main partner and supplier, the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI), has called on jihadists to "liberate Jerusalem."

On the morning of October 8, the Saudi television channel Al Arabiya published the losses of both Palestinians and Israelis during the first day of the renewed military conflict. According to the channel, Israel lost 300 people killed and at least 1,600 wounded. The number of casualties from the Palestinian-populated Gaza Strip is 232 killed and 1,627 wounded. 

On October 8, Israeli troops claimed that Lebanon had attacked their territory, so the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) attacked in response. In particular, Israeli aviation struck a complex belonging to the head of Hamas' intelligence.

Militants of the Lebanese military-political organization Hezbollah fired at Israeli positions on the border with the disputed Golan Heights and supported Hamas in its operation against Israel.

Due to the situation in the Middle East, the UN Security Council convened an emergency meeting. However, no action or decisions were taken after it. At the same time, the UK government stated that it would support Israel in its fight against terrorists and was ready to provide it with all necessary assistance.

On the afternoon of October 9, the Israeli army regained control of all areas on the border with the Gaza Strip. At this, it is possible that there are still Hamas militants on Israeli territory.

At night and during the day on the same day, the Israeli armed forces attacked the Gaza Strip. The main targets were command posts, homes of commanders, militants and ordinary soldiers of the Hamas terrorist organization. The Israeli Ministry of Defense ordered the military to put the Gaza Strip under blockade.

A number of countries have condemned the terrorist attack by Hamas militants and expressed support for Israel in its defense against aggression. Among them are the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Germany, Ukraine, France, Hungary, the Netherlands, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Hungary, Norway, Cyprus, India, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Argentina, Australia, and the European Union.


 
Read also:
  • News
2023, Wednesday
29 November
21:40
Review
Victorious news of 644th day of war: Russian general killed, invading forces destroyed in Kherson region
21:20
Ukraine's missile forces hit 3 Russian control points, 2 munitions depots — General Staff
20:58
Russian occupation authorities try 25-year-old Ukrainian who came to Mariupol to visit grandmother
20:40
Exclusive
Russian forces have no chance in Kupyansk sector - Ukrainian lieutenant colonel
20:20
OPINION
Ukraine inherited USSR agents: journalist Portnikov on Budanov's wife poisoning
20:12
Updated
Moscow-backed Orthodox Church leader Pavel Lebed's house arrest extended
20:02
Exclusive
Blocking Ukraine border is blunt politics designed for interim period — Polish politician
19:45
Mobilization of 86-year-old woman from Bakhmut: Russia spreads fake about Ukraine
19:18
Bellingcat investigates poisoning of Ukrainian intelligence chief's wife
19:01
NATO provides recommendations on Ukraine’s priority reforms
18:45
Exclusive
Russian army is constantly attacking Avdiivka in agony: AFU officer on frontline situation
18:10
OPINION
Ukraine in Russia's propaganda mirror
17:51
EU Transport Council to discuss blockade on Polish-Ukrainian border
17:35
Review
Comparison of international, Ukrainian sanctions against individuals and entities supporting Russian aggression
17:15
Russian airbase hit in Crimea at night. Video
16:59
Stoltenberg backs Ukrainian General Staff's info on Russian army losses
16:44
Mobile groups targeting Shaheds show high efficiency despite difficult weather conditions — military expert Zgurets
16:21
Russian troops significantly increase activity in Tavria direction, deploying armored vehicles
15:57
"The more weapons, the longer war will last": Szijjártó confirms Hungary's refusal to help Ukraine
15:42
Exclusive
November 23-29 live war map: record elimination of Russian troops near Avdiivka, drones in Moscow
15:28
Czech MPs approve extension of Ukrainian military training for next year
15:12
Interview
Winter in Ukraine and sanctions against Rosatom. Interview with Alan Riley, Professor at the College of Europe
14:47
Exclusive
Poisoning of Ukraine spy chief's wife signals Russia's ability to reach anyone's family - military observer Kovalenko
14:24
Ukrainian troops destroy Russian APC, trench EW system, anti-drone gun and more: video
14:03
Interview
Unblocking border benefits both Ukraine and Poland: Mykola Knyazhytskyi on blockade’s impact on state relations and Ukrainian defense capabilities
13:41
Updated
Ukraine Intelligence Chief's wife was poisoned with arsenic and mercury - sources
13:26
Zaporizhzhia locals refuse collaboration as Russians lack administrative staff, says Regional Council member Ashurbekov
13:12
Ukraine's troops attack building with Russian militants in Kherson region: 5 invaders eliminated
12:55
Review
Weather isn't primary factor influencing pace of hostilities – military expert Serhiy Zgurets
12:43
Russia increases use of cluster bombs — British intelligence
12:19
Exclusive
Russian troops suffer up to 95% of losses in assaults - National Guard Major Nahornyi
12:00
"We are ready": Russia's Foreign Ministry says war with NATO is possible
11:41
25 Ukrainian truckers blocked at border agree to evacuate from Poland — Ministry of Infrastructure
11:10
Russia attacks Ukraine with drones: agricultural enterprise damaged in Khmelnytskyi region
10:48
Ukrainian troops eliminate 1,140 Russian soldiers, 15 tanks, 32 artillery systems in 24 hrs
10:15
Russia claims Ukrainian drone attack in Moscow region
09:40
ISW: Ukraine continues attacks south of Bakhmut, Russia advances along Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminna line
2023, Tuesday
28 November
22:00
Review
Victorious news of 643rd day of war: Russian soldiers neutralized in Mariupol, explosions heard in occupied Tokmak
21:45
Ukrainian air defense shoots down Merlin-VR reconnaissance UAV - General Staff
21:27
Ukrainian hackers show how Russian military propaganda machine works
More news