The armed wing of Palestinian Islamic Jihad, al-Quds Brigades, said the only way to return the remaining captives held in Gaza is through Israel’s withdrawal from the territory.

According to Israeli tallies, there are 116 captives left in Gaza out of 250 taken during the surprise military operation carried out by Hamas in southern Israel on October 7. More than 100 were released in exchange for about 240 Palestinians held in Israeli jails during a truce in November.

At least 40 of those still in Gaza have been declared dead in absentia by Israel. Many of them have lost their lives during Israeli strikes on Gaza.