"The rumors about the rescue of hostages are not true"

The IDF spokesman today (Sunday) addressed rumors on the Internet that the IDF rescued hostages and claimed that they are not true. "In the last few hours, rumors are being spread about the rescue of abductees that are not true. Listen to the announcements of the official authorities only, and avoid spreading false rumors that harm the families of the abductees and the public," he said.

At the same time and one year after the October 7 massacre by Hamas, the International Committee of the Red Cross today called for the immediate release of all the abductees held captive by Hamas in Gaza. In the announcement, the committee also called on the terrorist organization to allow the Red Cross access to the abductees, so that they could check their health status.

"One year after the October 7 attack and the widespread escalation that occurred as a result, people in the Middle East continue to experience pain, suffering and loss on a cross-border scale," he said. "In the past year, the Middle East has undergone extensive destruction, a year characterized by heartbreak and questions that remain unanswered." "Hundreds of families are still separated from their loved ones after 12 months of conflict. Tens of thousands of civilians have been killed, and millions of people are still being evacuated and cannot return to their homes," they added. "We call on all parties to respect every person affected by this conflict. They are all human beings with rights, and they deserve protection, humanitarian assistance and the ability to rebuild their lives." "We call on everyone to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law. Taking hostages is prohibited under international humanitarian law - and every effort must be made to reunite the hostages with their families. We continue to call for the immediate release of all those who are still held captive unconditionally," the statement concluded . "The committee also demands that it be given access to them so that we can check their health status and provide them with medical treatment."