Hamas posts ‘farewell picture’ of Israeli captives in Gaza, warns of ‘Ron Arad fate’

CAIRO – 20 September 2025: Hamas’s military wing Ezz Al-Din Al-Qassam Brigades published a “farewell picture” of 47 Israeli hostages held in Gaza, either dead or injured.

The image was captioned: “Due to Netanyahu’s obstinacy and Zamir’s submission, this is a farewell photo at the onset of the operation in Gaza [City].”

The image places the name of Ron Arad, a pilot in the Israeli military who went missing after his aircraft was shot down during an airstrike on southern Lebanon on October 16, 1986, beneath each captive’s photo, suggesting they may face a fate similar to his.

Ron Arad’s fate remains unknown to this day.

'Netanyahu Decided to Kill Them'

Last Thursday, the al-Qassam Brigades warned that the Israeli assault on Gaza City would endanger the lives of all hostages.

The group declared: “The start and escalation of this criminal operation [the occupation of Gaza City] means that no captive will be recovered—alive or dead. Their fate will be like that of Ron Arad.”

The group added, “Your captives are spread throughout Gaza City’s neighborhoods. We will not ensure their safety as long as Netanyahu has chosen to kill them.”

In a further warning to the Israeli government, Al-Qassam stated that the Israeli forces’ engagement in a “brutal war of attrition” in Gaza City “will cost you more dead and captured soldiers.”

The statement continued: “We have trained our fighters to plant explosive devices inside your vehicles, and your bulldozers will be prime targets for our fighters, becoming a reason for us to capture more of your soldiers.”

Al-Qassam also asserted to have prepared “an army of martyrdom-seekers and thousands of ambushes and engineering charges” aimed at turning Gaza into “a graveyard for your soldiers.”

The statement concluded with a defiant message: “Gaza will not be an easy prey for your cowardly army. We do not fear you, and we are ready to send the souls of your soldiers to hell.”