Voice notes from Palestinians | What might happen to the 199 hostages
Oct 16, 2023
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Former Gaza correspondent Nicole Johnston discusses the situation in Gaza and the challenges faced by Palestinians at the Rafah crossing. She shares heart-wrenching stories of separation and escape, and provides insight into the dire conditions and scarce resources in Gaza. The podcast also highlights the hostage crisis in Gaza and the involvement of multiple countries in ensuring the safety of the hostages.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has resulted in dire conditions for the population including a lack of connectivity, limited access to essentials, and the blockade imposed by Israel.
The hostage situation in Gaza involves 199 people, including women and children, and requires cooperation among various nations for potential rescue operations.
Deep dives
Impact of War on Gaza
The podcast episode discusses the impact of the ongoing conflict on the people in Gaza. The lack of connectivity and internet access makes it challenging for them to communicate with the outside world. Voice notes are being sent to journalists from people in Gaza, sharing their experiences and the difficulties they face. The civilian casualties and the number of missing people, including women and children, are devastating. The situation is already desperate for the two million plus people living in Gaza, with limited access to food and water due to the blockade imposed by Israel.
Hostage Crisis and Rescue Attempts
The episode highlights the hostage situation and the challenges faced in attempting rescue operations. The Israel Defense Forces have reported 199 people being held hostage, including women and children. The military conducted incursions into Gaza to gather information on the location of the hostages, but details regarding any rescue attempts are being kept confidential. The complexity arises from the involvement of hostages from different countries, requiring cooperation among various nations to ensure their safe release. The high stakes nature of the situation and the potential for regional conflict add to the urgency and delicate nature of the ongoing crisis.
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
The podcast sheds light on the dire conditions experienced by the people of Gaza as a result of the conflict. Lack of electricity, limited access to essentials like food and water, and scarcity of resources have intensified the suffering of the population. Gazans are reliant on audio notes and messages to communicate since internet access is rare. Lines for water are long, and the scarcity of food is becoming more critical by the day. The blockade imposed by Israel for the past 17 years has severely restricted the freedom of movement for Gazans, leaving them trapped in what they describe as an open-air prison. The blockade has hindered economic development, leading to depression, resentment, and extremism among the population.
More than a week on since the Hamas attack that shocked Israelis and others around the world, thousands of Palestinians caught up in the conflict remain stuck in Gaza at its southern border with Egypt – as the threat of an Israeli ground invasion into northern Gaza looms.
On the Sky News Daily podcast, Sally Lockwood speaks to former Gaza correspondent Nicole Johnston about who controls the Rafah crossing and the people inside Gaza she’s in contact with as we hear voicenotes from some of them.
Plus, our security and defence editor Deborah Haynes talks about ongoing diplomatic efforts as Britons are among the 199 people taken hostage by Hamas.