The Islamic Terrorist Group, Hamas’ armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, has released a chilling “farewell” image of the 48 remaining Israeli hostages still held in Gaza, heightening global alarm as Israel presses deeper into Gaza City. The montage, shared on social media, shows the faces of the captives—some alive, some presumed dead—each labeled “Ron Arad,” a symbolic reference to the Israeli Air Force navigator who vanished in Lebanon in 1986 and whose fate has never been resolved.
Hostage Image and Symbolic Threat
The propaganda image, branding every captive with Arad’s name, appears designed to warn that the hostages may meet the same unresolved fate. Alongside it, Hamas issued a pointed message targeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and army chief Eyal Zamir:
“Because of [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu’s refusal, and [IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal] Zamir’s capitulation, a parting image as the military operation in Gaza City begins.”
By invoking Arad, Hamas seeks to equate the current hostages with one of Israel’s most haunting cases of disappearance, amplifying the psychological pressure on Israeli society and leadership.
Escalation in Gaza City and Hostage Safety
The release coincides with Israel’s intensified ground and air campaign in Gaza City, the last major Hamas stronghold. Israeli forces have destroyed dozens of tunnel networks and demolished booby-trapped buildings in recent weeks. Military sources report the destruction of at least 20 tower blocks in the city, while humanitarian agencies estimate that over 500,000 residents have fled since early September.
Hamas run Gaza’s health ministry says at least 60 Palestinians were killed in the latest bombardments, adding to the mounting civilian toll. Hamas insists that hostages are “scattered” throughout neighborhoods and face grave danger from Israel’s strikes. The group has previously released disturbing videos of captives, including one forced to dig a grave, which Israel and international allies denounced as psychological warfare.
Background: The Hostage Crisis
- The October 7, 2023 Hamas-led assault led to the abduction of 251 people into Gaza.
- Over subsequent months, prisoner exchanges and military recovery efforts secured the release or return of dozens, though many bodies were retrieved rather than survivors.
- Israeli officials now believe that only around 20 of the 48 remaining captives are still alive.
- In late August 2025, the body of hostage Idan Shtivi was identified after being retrieved from Gaza, underscoring the shrinking chances for survival.
Global and Domestic Reactions
The “farewell” image has fueled outrage and despair in Israel. Thousands rallied in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, demanding that the government prioritize a deal to bring the hostages home and accusing leaders of sacrificing them to military aims.
Internationally, the move coincides with mounting diplomatic pressure. Ten countries—including Australia, Belgium, Britain, and Canada—are preparing to formally recognize a Palestinian state at the upcoming UN General Assembly, a development likely to influence negotiations and Israel’s diplomatic posture.
Meanwhile, the United States and other allies continue to press for hostage releases alongside humanitarian access to Gaza, though a UN resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire was recently vetoed in the Security Council.
Analysis: Symbolism, Pressure, and Escalation Risks
- Psychological Warfare: By renaming each hostage “Ron Arad,” Hamas erases individual identities and invokes Israel’s unresolved trauma, signaling that the captives may vanish without closure.
- Bargaining Chips: The timing of the image suggests Hamas is using the hostages to stall or reshape Israel’s offensive, demanding concessions in return for their lives.
- Political Fallout: For Netanyahu’s government, the optics of pressing a Gaza campaign while dozens of hostages remain in peril could erode public support and deepen domestic protests.
- Escalation Dangers: Any miscalculation—whether a deadly strike on hostages or a retaliatory Hamas move—could harden positions further, making ceasefire negotiations even more elusive.
Conclusion
The release of Hamas’s “farewell” image underscores the brutal intersection of propaganda, psychological warfare, and military escalation. With Gaza City under siege, civilian suffering intensifying, and hostages’ fates hanging in the balance, the crisis is entering its most perilous phase yet. The symbolic invocation of Ron Arad is not only a threat but also a grim reminder: unresolved fates can haunt nations for generations.