Overview

• Al-Qassam Brigades circulated a collage labeling the captives as 'Ron Arad' and warned they would not guarantee the hostages' safety, blaming Benjamin Netanyahu and IDF chief Eyal Zamir.
• The message described the image as a 'farewell' tied to Israel's latest operation in Gaza City, which began around September 16 with intensified bombardment.
• Israeli authorities say 48 people remain captive in Gaza, with the IDF confirming at least 26 deaths and assessing that roughly 20 are alive.
• The poster’s face count conflicted with the official tally, with media noting 47 portraits in the image and some outlets counting 46.
• Hamas rejected a partial truce and reiterated that any agreement requires a total cessation of hostilities, Israeli troop withdrawal, and the entry of humanitarian aid.