Published on, Sept. 29 -- September 29, 2025 4:29 PM

Hamas's armed wing has urged Israel to pause air strikes and withdraw troops from parts of Gaza City, saying it has lost contact with two Israeli hostages during recent intensified military operations. The Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades stressed that the hostages' lives were in grave danger and demanded a 24-hour halt in air raids to allow rescue efforts starting Sunday evening without further disruptions.

The group explained that communication was lost following Israel's heavy bombardment and ground operations in southern Gaza City neighbourhoods, where fighting has intensified over the past 48 hours. Hamas stated that these actions made it extremely difficult to secure hostages' safety...