Gaza War: Seibert calls for the release of the hostages in the Gaza Strip

According to the German ambassador to Israel, Steffen Seibert, Germany will continue to do everything in its power to ensure the release of around 100 Israeli hostages held by the Islamist Hamas in the Gaza Strip. On the 400th day of the brutal taking of 250 Israelis and members of other nationalities hostage during the massacre by Hamas and other extremists from the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023, he feels deep sadness and helplessness, said Seibert in a speech given in Hebrew to thousands of participants in a demonstration for the release of the people of Tel Aviv.

It was the second time that the diplomat spoke at a rally by relatives and friends of the hostages. He thinks every day about these kidnapped men, women and children in the hands of Hamas. “We demand their return,” said Seibert. However, many of the hostages are believed to no longer be alive.

Indirect negotiations without success

Around 250 people were kidnapped in the surprise attack by Hamas and other extremists from the Gaza Strip on October 7th last year. In the massacre on the same day, Islamists in Israel killed 1,200 people. This triggered the Gaza war.

During a ceasefire at the end of November 2023, Hamas released 105 hostages. In return, Israel released 240 Palestinian prisoners from prisons. Indirect negotiations for a Gaza ceasefire and the release of further hostages have since been unsuccessful. Individual hostages have since been freed by the Israeli military, and several have been recovered dead.