Support us by contributing to StratNewsGlobal on the following UPI ID
ultramodern@hdfcbank
Strategic affairs is our game, South Asia and beyond our playground. Put together by an experienced team led by Nitin A. Gokhale. Our focus is on strategic affairs, foreign policy and international relations, with higher quality reportage, analysis and commentary with new tie-ups across the South Asian region.
You can support our endeavours. Visit us at www.stratnewsglobal.com and follow us on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
र 500 per month
र 1000 per month
र 5000 per year
र 10000 per year
Donate an amount of your choice
र 500 per month
Donate र 500 per month
र 1000 per month
Donate र 1000 per month
र 5000 per year
Donate र 5,000 per year
र 10000 per year
Donate र 10,000 per year
Donate an amount of your choice
Donate an amount of your choice
Anti-Drone Tech Boosts Greece’s Push For Domestic Defence Industry
In its first test with an EU patrol in the Red Sea last year, Greece’s Centauros anti-drone system swiftly downed two Houthi-launched drones within minutes.
Another two drones swiftly retreated: Centauros had jammed their electronics, said Kyriakos Enotiadis, electronics director at state-run Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI), which produces the anti-drone system.
The successful test run added impetus to Greek government plans to develop a home-grown industry to mass produce anti-drone and drone systems – part of a 30-billion-euro programme aimed at modernising the country’s armed forces by 2036.
Named after the mythological half-man, half-horse creature, Centauros can detect drones from a distance of 150 km (93 miles) and fire from 25 km (15.5 miles). Greece plans to install it throughout its naval fleet.
“It’s the only battle-proven anti-drone system (made) in Europe,” Enotiadis said, as dozens of employees worked nearby, assembling electronic components of anti-aircraft missiles.
Up until now, Greece has been using only a few dozen ISR – intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance – unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), most of them made abroad, including in France and Israel.
As the multibillion-euro defence programme is rolled out, it will incorporate Greek-made anti-drone and combat drone systems into the armed forces, including its planned anti-aircraft ballistic dome, called Achilles Shield.
Historic Rivalry
Greece’s neighbour, NATO ally and historic rival Turkiye, is a prolific drone exporter.
Greece spends nearly 3.5% of its gross domestic product (GDP) on defence due to the long-standing dispute with Turkiye, with the domestic defence industry accounting for only a fraction of that.
In the coming decade, it plans to invest some 800 million euros ($925 million) in defence innovation, said Pantelis Tzortzakis, CEO of the newly founded Hellenic Centre for Defence Innovation (HCDI), which is supervised by the Defence Ministry.
“Our target is to export as much as we spend on defence annually,” Tzortzakis said.
Altus, one of a few Greek private companies that manufacture combat drones, in cooperation with France’s MBDA, has produced Kerveros – a vertical take-off and landing UAV with a payload of more than 30 kg (66 pounds) that includes advanced anti-tank missiles.
“I’m very optimistic about the Greek drone industry,” said Zacharias Sarris, co-owner of Altus, which already exports ISR drones to five countries.
“Greece has a great need for this technology,” he added, referring to the country’s complex geopolitical position.
In the meantime, HAI is aiming high.
In 2026, it will start mass-producing two more portable anti-drone systems called Iperion and Telemachus, designed to protect troops from drone swarms and lethal mini-drones.
It will also present its first big unmanned aerial vehicle, Archytas, named after the ancient Greek inventor said to have produced the first autonomous flying machine in about 400 BC.
“We are striving for this UAV to be the best of its kind,” said Nikos Koklas, the company’s director of new products.
($1 = 0.8643 euros)
(With inputs from Reuters)
Ex-Aide To Far-Right German Lawmaker Faces Trial For Spying For China
A former aide to a far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) lawmaker went on trial in Germany on Tuesday, accused of spying for Chinese intelligence.
The defendant, identified as German national Jian G. in line with German privacy rules, is suspected of having worked for a Chinese intelligence service since 2002, say prosecutors.
Dresden court spokesperson Meike Schaaf said he was charged with gathering documents and files from the European Parliament while working for Maximilian Krah, a former European lawmaker who now represents the AfD in Germany’s national parliament.
Federal prosecutors argue some documents were partially confidential, and they also accuse him of collecting personal information on the leadership of the AfD and of spying on Chinese opposition members and dissidents.
The high-profile case has fuelled concern about Europe being a target for Chinese spying.
Beijing has denied accusations of espionage in Europe. The Chinese foreign ministry did not immediately respond on Tuesday to a Reuters request for comment on the German case.
AfD’s Global Allegiances Scrutinised
The case has also put a spotlight on the pro-China and pro-Russia views of some senior members of the AfD, which is currently polling at 25%, level with the ruling conservative bloc, a weekend Forsa survey showed.
A woman, identified as Chinese national Jaqi X., is also on trial. She is charged with helping Jian G. between August 2023 and February 2024 by providing information about flights at Leipzig airport related to the transportation of equipment and people with connections to a German arms company.
Jian G. has been in detention since his arrest in April 2024, and Jaqi X. since September 2024.
The court spokesperson said that if convicted, Jian G. would face a jail term of between one and 10 years due to the serious nature of the intelligence agency activity for a foreign power. Less serious cases could see a fine or up to five years in jail.
Court dates have been scheduled until the end of September.
(With inputs from Reuters)
Thailand Unveils $572 Million Stimulus, Vows Compensation For Border Conflict Victims
Thailand will allocate 18.5 billion baht ($572 million) for economic stimulus to offset the impact of U.S. tariffs and provide compensation to families of those killed in last month’s border conflict, officials announced on Tuesday.
The stimulus measures approved by the cabinet are aimed at enhancing economic competitiveness and supporting student loans, Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat told reporters.
The government still has about 25 billion baht of funds to use to mitigate the impact of U.S. tariffs and for broader relief efforts, Julapun said.
The U.S. last week set a 19% tariff on imported goods from Thailand, lower than the 36% rate announced earlier this year and more aligned with other countries in the region.
Julapun said the cabinet gave the government approval to prepare a joint statement on tariffs and trade with the United States, but said discussions were ongoing and there was no set signing date.
On Tuesday, the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce said it expected the economy to grow 1.7% this year. That is below both the finance ministry’s revised forecast of 2.2% growth in 2025 and last year’s actual growth of 2.5%.
Compensation Package
The cabinet also approved a 10 million baht ($310,000) payment to the families of government officials who died in the July conflict with Cambodia, while those injured will receive up to 1 million baht, government spokesperson Jirayu Huangsap told a briefing.
Families of Thai civilians who died during the conflict will each receive a payment of 8 million baht, he said, while the injured would receive up to 800,000 baht.
Thailand and Cambodia held preliminary defence talks in Malaysia on Monday, ahead of a key ministerial meeting on Thursday, as a fragile ceasefire holds.
The ceasefire, which came after five days of border clashes between Cambodia and Thailand, was reached last Monday following a push by Malaysia and phone calls from U.S. President Donald Trump, who threatened to hold off tariff negotiations with both countries until fighting stopped, with China also observing.
The worst fighting between the Southeast Asian neighbours in over a decade included exchanges of artillery fire and jet fighter sorties, claiming at least 43 lives and leaving over 300,000 people displaced on both sides of the border.
The ministers of defence of both countries are due to hold a meeting of the General Border Committee to discuss how to maintain the ceasefire, authorities on both sides said.
The Thursday meeting will be observed by representatives from the United States, China and Malaysia.
($1 = 32.35 baht)
(With inputs from Reuters)
Pakistan: 120 Workers Of Ex-PM Imran Khan’s PTI Arrested Before Protest
Security officials said that police had arrested 120 activists from the main opposition party of Pakistan overnight ahead of Tuesday’s planned protests marking two years since Imran Khan’s imprisonment.
Most of the detentions, made on Monday night and early on Tuesday, were in the eastern city of Lahore, two police officers told Reuters, where Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party vowed its biggest demonstration, as well as protests elsewhere.
At least 200 activists had been arrested in Lahore, said party spokesperson Zulfikar Bukhari, adding that the protest would go ahead.
Lahore is the capital of the eastern province of Punjab, the country’s most politically important region and home to half its population.
The Punjab government and the provincial police did not respond to requests for comment on Tuesday.
In a statement on Monday, police said large contingents of police were providing security in all the province’s major cities.
Crackdown On Political Unrest
Khan’s party had always created “chaos”, Uzma Bukhari, a spokesperson of the provincial government, told a press conference on Monday.
“No political party can be barred from politics in Pakistan, but a terrorist organisation disguised as a political party is not allowed to disrupt Pakistan’s peace,” Bukhari added.
In a message attributed to Khan on his party’s X account on Monday, he urged supporters to “come out and hold peaceful protests until a true democracy is restored in the country”.
The former cricket star was elected prime minister in 2018 but, once in office, fell out with Pakistan’s powerful military and was ousted in 2022 through a vote in parliament.
His arrest in May 2023 sparked protests against the military nationwide, leading to a crackdown on the party.
Khan, who denies any wrongdoing, dismisses as politically motivated the dozens of cases against him, ranging from terrorism to disclosure of official secrets.
He was convicted in January in a corruption case, while being acquitted of other charges or receiving suspended sentences.
Ahead of the protest call, hundreds of Khan’s party members, including several parliamentarians, were convicted late last month on charges related to the 2023 protests against his arrest.
Khan’s party emerged as the single biggest in the 2024 election, and it says that rigging robbed it of more seats.
Other parties clubbed together to form a government under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, which denies coming to power through electoral fraud.
(With inputs from Reuters)
Israel’s Cabinet Considers Full Military Takeover Of Gaza, First In Two Decades
Israel’s cabinet may approve a full military takeover of Gaza on Tuesday—the first in two decades—despite mounting international calls for a ceasefire amid dire humanitarian conditions in the besieged territory, according to media reports.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is leaning towards an expanded offensive and taking control of the entire enclave after 22 months of war against the militant group Hamas, Israeli Channel 12 reported.
A senior Israeli source told Reuters on Monday that more force was an option following the collapse of indirect ceasefire talks with Hamas.
Seizing the entire territory would reverse a 2005 decision by Israel to pull settlers and military out of Gaza while retaining control over its borders – a move right-wing parties blame for Hamas gaining power there.
It was unclear, however, whether a potential full takeover of Gaza would entail a prolonged occupation or a short-term operation aimed at dismantling Hamas and freeing hostages.
Israel’s coalition government is regarded as one of the most right-wing in its history, with the cabinet including parties that seek to annexe both Gaza and the West Bank and encourage Palestinians to leave their homeland.
Military Resists Gaza Occupation
The country’s military has throughout the war pushed back against the idea of Israel trying to fully occupy Gaza and establish military rule there, which would require it to take over long-term governance.
The military has also struggled with manpower issues as the war has dragged on, with reservists being repeatedly called up and putting a strain on capabilities.
The conflict was triggered by a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, when gunmen stormed the border from Gaza, killing more than 1,200 people and seizing around 250 hostages according to Israeli tallies.
Israel’s military campaign has devastated the tiny, crowded enclave, killing more than 60,000 people according to Palestinian health authorities. It has forced nearly all of Gaza’s over 2 million people from their homes and caused what a global hunger monitor called last week an unfolding famine.
That has caused widespread international anger and prompted several European countries to say they would recognise a Palestinian state next month if there was no ceasefire.
Inside Gaza on Tuesday, Israeli gunfire and strikes killed at least 13 Palestinians, local health authorities said, including five people in a tent in Khan Younis and three aid seekers near Rafah in the south.
Tank Push
Israeli tanks pushed into central Gaza earlier on Tuesday, but it was not clear if the move was part of a larger ground offensive.
Palestinians living in the last fifth of the territory where Israel has not yet taken military control via ground incursions or orders for civilians to leave said any new move to occupy the area would be catastrophic.
“If the tanks pushed through, where would we go, into the sea? This will be like a death sentence to the entire population,” said Abu Jehad, a Gaza wood merchant, who asked not to be named in full.
A Palestinian official close to the talks and mediation said Israeli threats could be a way to pressure Hamas to make concessions at the negotiation table.
“It will only complicate the negotiation further; at the end, the resistance factions will not accept less than an end to the war, and a full withdrawal from Gaza,” he told Reuters, asking not to be named.
Controlled Entry Of Goods
Israel said it would allow merchants to import goods. A source in Gaza told Reuters some trucks had already entered carrying chocolates and biscuits for a merchant.
It is hoped that essential items such as children’s milk, fresh meat and fruits, sugar, and rice could be allowed in, which would alleviate scarcity and drive down prices of what is available in the markets.
U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff said last week he was working with the Israeli government on a plan that would effectively end the war in Gaza.
But Israeli officials have also floated ideas, including expanding the offensive and annexing parts of Gaza.
The failed ceasefire talks in Doha had aimed to clinch agreements on a U.S.-backed proposal for a 60-day truce, during which aid would be flown into Gaza and half of the hostages Hamas is holding would be freed in exchange for Palestinian prisoners jailed in Israel.
The Israeli military was expected on Tuesday to present alternatives that include extending into areas of Gaza where it has not yet operated, according to two defence officials.
(With inputs from Reuters)
India, Philippines Elevate Ties To Strategic Partnership, Eye Defence, Trade And Digital Cooperation
India and the Philippines have elevated their ties to a strategic partnership, after talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who is on a five-day state visit to India. The upgrade aligns with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
In his joint address after the talks, Prime Minister Modi said the new partnership would be guided by a comprehensive action plan. “India and the Philippines are friends by choice and partners by destiny. We are committed to peace, security and a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific.”
Cooperation Across Critical Sectors
In a special briefing after the talks, MEA Secretary (East) P Kumaran elaborated on the operational substance behind the high-level announcements. “The strategic partnership will include structured cooperation in defence, security, digital technology, science, space and maritime cooperation.”
He said six Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) are underway in the Philippines under Indian grant assistance, with plans to expand this development model to more provinces.
Defence And Maritime Cooperation
With the export of BrahMos missiles already underway, talks are advancing toward deeper coordination. “President Marcos specifically called for enhanced collaboration in the defence industry and expressed interest in additional platforms from India,” Kumaran noted. “We are also discussing joint training, capacity building and service-to-service cooperation through a newly agreed Terms of Reference.”
Indian Navy ships are currently participating in joint maritime drills with the Philippines, including hydrographic surveys, which Kumaran described as “a demonstration of India’s growing hydrographic capabilities and maritime security outreach.”
Digital Tech And Sovereign Data Cloud
India will assist the Philippines in establishing a sovereign data cloud through a pilot initiative, reflecting a shared interest in data governance and digital sovereignty.
“The leaders agreed to expand cooperation in digital and financial technologies. This includes support for the Philippines’ digital ID system and exploring the linking of national payment systems,” Kumaran explained. He confirmed that the Philippine national ID programme is using technologies developed through Indian platforms such as Modular Open-Source Identity Platform (MOSIP).
Economic Links And Trade Roadmap
India and the Philippines agreed to expedite the India-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement review, while also launching talks for a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA).
“There’s strong interest in expanding trade across agriculture, pharmaceuticals, biofuels and even green hydrogen. We are also exploring collaboration in food security and smart port infrastructure,” Kumaran added.
He stated that Indian investments in the Philippines exceed $1.2 billion directly and up to $5 billion including third-country routed capital, spanning IT, pharma, FMCG, healthcare and textiles.
Connectivity And People-to-People Ties
Direct flight connectivity between India and the Philippines is expected to begin soon, with both sides easing visa regimes. India has reinstated tourist visas for Filipino nationals, while the Philippines now allows visa-free entry for Indian citizens for up to 14 days.
A joint commemorative stamp was released, and cultural links were reaffirmed with references to shared epics like Maharadia Lawana—a Filipino adaptation of the Ramayana.
Concrete Outcomes
The joint elevation of ties marks a strategic alignment in the Indo-Pacific amid shifting geopolitical currents. Secretary Kumaran said: “This visit has delivered concrete outcomes. With a five-year action plan in place, we are now looking at time-bound deliverables across defence, trade, digital and development sectors.”
As both nations look ahead, the strategic partnership sets the tone for a new phase of cooperation that is future-focused, resilient and regionally consequential.
Kremlin Condemns Trump’s India Tariff Threat Over Russian Oil As Illegal
Russia on Tuesday accused the United States of applying illegal trade pressure on India following President Donald Trump’s renewed threat to raise tariffs over New Delhi’s Russian oil imports.
“We hear many statements that are in fact threats, attempts to force countries to cut trade relations with Russia. We do not consider such statements to be legal,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
“We believe that sovereign countries should have and do have the right to choose their own trading partners, partners for trade and economic cooperation, and to choose for themselves the forms of trade and economic cooperation that are in the interests of a particular country.”
Trump’s Sanctions Threat
Trump has said that from Friday, he will impose new sanctions on Russia as well as on countries that buy its energy exports, unless Moscow takes steps to end its 3-1/2 year conflict with Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signalled no change in Russia’s stance on the war, despite the looming deadline.
India Responds
New Delhi has called Trump’s threats “unjustified and unreasonable” and vowed to protect its economic interests, deepening a trade rift between the two major economies.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) underscored that India’s energy purchases from Russia are driven by national necessity, aimed at ensuring affordable and reliable fuel access for its population.
“India’s imports are intended to provide predictable and affordable energy to Indian consumers. These are not optional luxuries but necessary responses to international market dynamics. It is ironic that the very countries criticising India continue their own economic engagements with Russia — trade that, unlike India’s, cannot be defended as a pressing national requirement,” the MEA statement read.
Two Indian government sources told Reuters on the weekend that India will keep purchasing oil from Russia despite Trump’s threats.
(With inputs from Reuters)
Bangladesh: Thousands Gather In Dhaka To Mark One Year Since Hasina’s Ouster
Thousands of people on Tuesday gathered in Bangladesh‘s capital, Dhaka, for rallies, concerts, and prayer sessions, marking one year since student-dominated mass protests led to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina‘s ouster.
The events will culminate in a declaration touted as a roadmap for democratic reform in the political journey from an uprising sparked by economic woes and repression to rule by an interim government led by Nobel peace laureate Muhammad Yunus.
Yunus’ Message To The Nation
“Together, we will build a Bangladesh where tyranny will never rise again,” Yunus said in a message to the nation a year after protests forced Hasina to flee to neighbouring India, as he paid tribute to those who sacrificed their lives.
A peaceful, fair, and transparent election could be held early next year, Yunus said, pledging a return to full democratic rule at a time of mounting pressure for a swifter transition amid growing labour unrest.
“Fallen autocrats and their self-serving allies remain active,” however, he added, urging unity to protect the gains of the uprising while his government holds reform talks with political parties and civil society.
His interim government had launched sweeping reforms, he added, while trials for those responsible for the “July killings” were progressing swiftly.
Rally In Dhaka
Crowds waving flags, holding placards, and chanting slogans gathered near parliament, including some who had been injured in the protests.
“On this day in 2024, the tyrant Sheikh Hasina fled the country,” said Ahmedul Hasan, who was accompanied by his sister. “I was here last year too. I’ve come again to remember that moment and join the celebrations.”
Others were less exuberant, however.
“Even after all the bloodshed and sacrifice, a truly liberal democracy in Bangladesh still feels like a distant dream,” said Sabbir Ahmed, a college student who participated in protests last year, speaking from his home district of Jamalpur.
Police were on high alert throughout the capital, with armoured vehicles patrolling the streets to deter any attempt by Hasina’s banned Awami League to disrupt the day’s events.
“Let this anniversary not be a day of retrospection, but a rallying cry for a brighter tomorrow,” Hasina said in an open letter to the people of Bangladesh, adding that she had never resigned from her duties as prime minister.
“Bangladesh has overcome adversity before, and we will rise again, stronger, more united, and more determined to build a democracy that truly serves its people.”
July Declaration
The July Declaration, to be announced later in the day by Yunus, will formally recognise the 2024 student-led uprising and the shift away from authoritarian rule to democratic renewal.
Despite some opposition, it is backed by major political groups, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by former premier Khaleda Zia.
Supporters see the charter as a foundation for institutional reform, but critics have warned its impact could be largely symbolic in the absence of a legal framework or parliamentary consensus.
(With inputs from Reuters)
One Killed, 10 Wounded In Russia’s Largest Airstrike On Ukraine’s Lozova
One person was killed and 10 others, including two children, were injured early on Tuesday in Russia’s largest airstrike on the Ukrainian town of Lozova since the war began, according to officials.
The “massive strike” damaged the train station and other infrastructure in the town, a transport hub in the Kharkiv region bordering Russia, state rail operator Ukrzaliznytsia said in a statement.
Photos shared by emergency services appeared to show a damaged train and rubble covering a train platform.
“Critical infrastructure, apartment buildings and private homes have been damaged. Unfortunately, there are wounded, including two children. Lozova has endured the largest attack since the beginning of the war,” town council head Serhiy Zelenskiy wrote on the Telegram messaging app.
He said rescuers, medics, and emergency services are working to assess the damage.
“We are restoring the water supply. Part of the city remains without electricity, in particular Avylivka, as well as the Katerynivka District,” Zelenskiy said, urging residents to report any damage.
Children Injured
Two children were wounded in the attack that left parts of the region without power and water, he added.
Ukrzaliznytsia said one of its employees died and four more were injured. Emergency services said 10 people in total were injured in the attack.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia struck civilian infrastructure in Lozova with more than 25 drones, damaging a depot and a station.
Ukraine’s air force downed 29 of 46 drones launched by Russia across the country overnight, according to its statement on Telegram. One ballistic missile and 17 drones struck various locations, it said.
Reuters could not independently verify the reports of casualties and damage. There was no immediate comment from Russia.
Both sides deny targeting civilians in the war that Russia launched with a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
(With inputs from Reuters)
Israel To Permit Controlled Entry Of Goods Into Gaza Via Merchants
Israel will permit the gradual, controlled entry of goods into Gaza through local merchants, a military aid agency said on Tuesday, as global monitors warn of an unfolding famine affecting even hostages held by Hamas.
Israel’s COGAT said a mechanism has been approved by the cabinet to expand the scope of humanitarian aid, allowing the entry of supplies to Gaza through the private sector.
The agency said the approved goods include basic food products, baby food, fruits and vegetables, and hygiene supplies.
“This aims to increase the volume of aid entering the Gaza Strip, while reducing reliance on aid collection by the U.N. and international organisations,” it added.
It was unclear how this aid operation would work given the widespread destruction in Gaza.
600 Trucks Per Day
Palestinian and U.N. officials say Gaza needs around 600 aid trucks to enter per day to meet the humanitarian requirements – the number Israel used to allow into Gaza before the war.
Images of starving Palestinians, including children, have alarmed the world in recent weeks, while a video released by Hamas on Sunday showing an emaciated captive drew sharp criticism from Western powers.
Israel, in response to a rising international uproar, announced last week steps to let more aid reach Gaza, including pausing fighting for part of the day in some areas, approving air drops and announcing protected routes for aid convoys.
Hamas said it was prepared to coordinate with the Red Cross to deliver aid to hostages it holds in Gaza, if Israel permanently opens humanitarian corridors and halts airstrikes during the distribution of aid.
Israel and the United States urged the U.N. in May to work through an organisation they back, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which employs a U.S. logistics firm run by a former CIA officer and armed U.S. veterans.
Deadly Aid
The U.N. refused as it questioned GHF’s neutrality and accused the distribution model of militarising aid and forcing displacement.
Palestinians were killed near GHF sites where limited aid was distributed, with the U.N. estimating that Israeli forces have killed more than 1,000 people seeking food since May, most near the organisation’s distribution sites.
GHF denies that there have been deadly incidents at its sites, and says the deadliest have been near other aid convoys.
The war in Gaza began when Hamas killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostage in an attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, according to Israeli figures.
Israel’s offensive has since killed more than 60,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials who do not distinguish between fighters and non-combatants.
According to Israeli officials, 50 hostages now remain in Gaza, only 20 of whom are believed to be alive. Hamas, thus far, has barred humanitarian organisations from having any kind of access to the hostages, and families have little or no details of their conditions.
(With inputs from Reuters)