Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas, has warned that the hostages being held captive in Gaza face the same risk of “death and destruction” as the Palestinian residents due to the Israeli assault on the territory. Haniyeh has accused Israel of carrying out “massacres” in Gaza as a way to hide its own “defeats”. He stated that Israel is committing barbaric acts against unarmed civilians and that their actions will not save them from a resounding defeat. Israel had launched an assault on Gaza after a devastating attack by Hamas on southern Israel. The Palestinian authorities claim that at least 8,796 people, including 3,648 children, have been killed in the ongoing Israeli bombardment. Haniyeh pointed out that Hamas had warned Israel about its contentious policies before the attack, including the expansion of settlements in the West Bank and attacks on Islamic holy sites. He believes that regional unrest will continue until the Palestinians obtain their legitimate rights to freedom, independence, and return. Israeli forces attacked the Jabalia refugee camp multiple times, killing dozens, including Hamas members. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has expressed its concern about the devastating impact of the Israeli assault on children in Gaza. Haniyeh called for an end to the bloodshed and urged the international community to rally in defense of the Palestinian cause to pressure policymakers. He accused Israel and the United States of obstructing mediation efforts and criticized their refusal to support a humanitarian truce. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected calls for a ceasefire, asserting that it would amount to surrendering to Hamas. The main Palestinian armed groups in Gaza have also not called for a ceasefire.