Hamas Issues Warning: No Hostage Will Survive Without Meeting Demands

Hamas, engaged in a war with Israel in the Gaza Strip, warned that no hostage would leave the territory alive unless their demands were met, referring to the release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. A one-week truce that collapsed on December 1 saw 105 hostages released, but 137 captives remain. Mediation efforts for a new truce and hostage release are ongoing, but the Israeli bombardment is narrowing the window for a successful outcome. Hamas vowed to continue fighting Israeli forces, stating that they have no choice but to fight the "barbaric occupier." The war in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of at least 17,700 people, mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.