EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Sunday criticized “horrific” reports that hundreds of civilians had died in Gauze during an Israeli hostage rescue operation, as the death toll from the operation rose.
More than 270 Palestinians were killed in Saturday’s attack as the Israeli army rescued four hostages in central Gaza, according to the health ministry of the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.
“Reports from Gaza of another massacre of civilians are appalling. We condemn this in the strongest possible terms,” Borel told X. “The bloodbath must end immediately.”
Hamas kidnapped about 250 hostages during its attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7 last year, about half of whom were released as part of a week-long ceasefire agreement in November, according to reports.
The freed hostages are in good health
The four hostages released on Saturday were freed after Israel conducted a special daytime operation in a residential area in Nuseirat, central Gaza. They are all in good medical condition, authorities said.
More than 37,000 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict began in October, Gaza’s health ministry said on Sunday.
Source: Politico