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A pictured taken from southern Israel near the border with the Gaza Strip on December 5, 2023, shows Israeli army vehicles inside Gaza amid continuing battles between Israel and the militant group Hamas. Israel pressed on with its expanded ground operation against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, following the expiry of a seven-day truce on Friday, after which fighting resumed. Hamas militants from Gaza launched an unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking around 240 hostages, according to Israeli officials. (Photo by Menahem KAHANA / AFP)
The Israeli army said Wednesday that the International Committee of the Red Cross "must have access to the hostages" still being held by Palestinian militants in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.
"As the IDF (military) expands its operations to dismantle Hamas in Gaza, we have not lost sight... of our critical mission to rescue our hostages," army spokesman Daniel Hagari said.
"The international community must take action. The Red Cross must have access to the hostages that are in the hands of Hamas."
