The spokesman for Hamas’s military wing, Abu Obeida, published an unusual statement on Shabbos claiming that IDF forces are “besieging the area where the Zionist prisoner Matan Tzengauker is located.”

The statement read: “An urgent warning to all concerned. We unequivocally affirm that the enemy will not be able to rescue him alive. If this prisoner is killed during an attempt to release him, the occupation army will be responsible for his death—after we kept him alive for a year and eight months.”

Following the message, Hamas released a photo of Zangauker appearing frail and attached to an IV with an explicit threat: “He Will Not Return Alive.”

In the wake of the publication of the message and photo, the IDF issued a statement clarifying that “no rescue operation of Matan Tzengauker was carried out.”

According to reports in Gaza, IDF troops are currently engaged in intense clashes with terrorists near the European Hospital in Khan Younis.

Zangauker’s mother, Einav, is one of the most well-known activists of the left-wing weekly hostage release protests in Tel Aviv.

Matan was abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz during the October 7 massacre.

(YWN’s Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated after tzeis ha’Shabbos in Israel)