Middle East Crisis Gaza War

Hamas: No More Hostages Will Be Released

Hamas will not release any more hostages, they write in a letter to the Israeli military (IDF) according to CNN. The reason is that the invasion of Gaza City, according to the terrorist organization, has made it impossible to get the hostages out of Gaza.

“Your prisoners are placed around Gaza City and we will not care about their lives as long as Netanyahu has decided to kill them,” the letter says.

The IDF says it is doing “everything it can” to avoid harming the captives. 48 Israelis are reportedly still being held hostage in Gaza and about 20 are believed to be alive.

Soldier realizes he killed child: “I wanted to vomit”

An Israeli soldier shouts: “Terrorists, terrorists!” His colleague, whom Haaretz calls Yoni, takes out his machine gun and fires hundreds of bullets before realizing it's a mistake. In front of him are no terrorists, but two children. Maybe eight or ten years old.

- There was blood everywhere, lots of marks from the shooting. I knew it was my fault, that I was the one who had done this. I wanted to throw up.

After the incident, Yoni is allowed to talk to a psychologist who recommends that he not return to combat. He is one of the growing number of Israeli soldiers who, according to Haaretz, have left the front line due to mental health problems. In total, there are thousands since the outbreak of the Gaza war, according to the newspaper. Some have left the military completely and others have been given other roles within the defense forces.

Desperate Congestion as Thousands Try to Escape

Vans, tractors, donkey carts and shopping carts are crowding the roads as thousands of people desperately try to leave Gaza City and escape Israel's intensified offensive, reports the New York Times.

The newspaper describes a serious atmosphere along the coastal road, also known as the al-Rashid Road, which is kept open to the south. Many try to rest as soon as they find shade along the roadside.

Traffic is still essentially at a standstill and soon it will be the only open road again, writes Al Jazeera. The "extra" escape route that the Israeli military temporarily allowed earlier this week has been closed again since noon today, Friday.