Hamas has issued a stark warning, claiming Israel's impending ground incursion into Gaza City has doomed any chance of recovering the remaining 48 hostages—dead or alive—held by the group, as families of the captives ramp up protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu amid mounting international criticism of the operation.

In a Hebrew-language statement directed at Israeli leadership on Thursday, Hamas' Al-Qassam Brigades declared the hostages, scattered across Gaza City neighborhoods, now face the same fate as missing airman Ron Arad, presumed captured by Hezbollah in 1986. "Your prisoners are distributed within the neighborhoods of Gaza City, and we will not be concerned for their lives as long as Netanyahu has decided to kill them," the message read, vowing Gaza as a "graveyard for your soldiers."

Hamas followed with pledges to intensify fighting, while a separate statement affirmed preparations for urban combat. The threat coincides with Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) intensifying airstrikes on high-rise towers and infrastructure in Gaza City, home to about one million residents—nearly half Gaza's population.

IDF spokesperson Effie Defrin, in a September 18 briefing, assured that "the hostages are always in our thoughts" and emphasized efforts to avoid harm, but declined specifics on their locations when pressed. Of the 48 hostages, 20 are believed alive, per Israeli assessments.

Public outrage in Israel boiled over during weekly Tel Aviv demonstrations, where hostage families led chants demanding a ceasefire and deal.

Video from the Hostages and Missing Families Forum showed Einav Zangauker, mother of captive Matan Zangauker, confronting Netanyahu's residence: "Come out and tell me how you lied to my face and told me that you were going to bring an agreement and bring everyone back."