Live Update arrow right icon

From the Liveblog of Saturday, October 28, 2023

IDF raises number of captives to 230, says ‘military pressure’ on Hamas meant to free them

By Emanuel Fabian

You will receive email alerts from this author. Manage alert preferences on your profile page

You will no longer receive email alerts from this author. Manage alert preferences on your profile page

28 October 2023, 10:04 pm Edit

Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent

IDF spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari gives a statement on October 17, 2023, saying that the Palestinian terror group Islamic Jihad was responsible for a rocket misfire that hit a hospital in the Gaza Strip. (Screenshot)

IDF spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari gives a statement on October 17, 2023. (Screenshot)

IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari says the military is slowly ramping up ground operations in the Gaza Strip.

“The IDF is gradually expanding its ground operations in Gaza and the scope of its forces,” Hagari says.

He says the “military pressure” on Hamas is also aimed at releasing the hostages the terror group is holding in Gaza.

Hagari says the military has notified the families of 230 hostages that their loved ones are currently being held in the Gaza Strip. He says the number is not final as the military investigates new information.

The number also does not include four released hostages — mother and daughter Judith and Natalie Ra’anan last Friday night, and elderly women Yocheved Lifshitz and Nurit Cooper on Monday night.