UPDATED: Israel confirms identity of 97 hostages held in Gaza; Red Cross in contact with both sides on hostages

Israel’s military spokesperson has said that the government has been able to confirm the identities of 97 people taken hostage in to Gaza during the attack by Hamas on Saturday.

“The military is preparing for the next stage of the war,” Daniel Hagari said in a televised press briefing, adding that 222 soldiers had been killed since Saturday.

More than 100 people are believed to have been taken.

Energy minister Israel Katz has tweeted: “Humanitarian aid to Gaza? No electrical switch will be turned on, no water hydrant will be opened and no fuel truck will enter until the Israeli abductees are returned home. Humanitarianism for humanitarianism. And no one will preach us morality.”

China’s foreign ministry said on Thursday that three Chinese nationals were killed, two are missing and several were injured during Hamas’ attack in Israel this past weekend.

“China will coordinate efforts to treat the injured and urge authorities to search for other missing people,” spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a regular press briefing.

Meanwhile, the International Committee of the Red Cross is in touch with both Hamas and Israeli authorities about hostages taken by Hamas militants during a deadly incursion, a senior official said on Thursday.

“We are now in contact with Hamas and Israeli officials as part of efforts on this issue,” said Fabrizio Carboni, ICRC regional director, who called for their immediate release.

“As a neutral intermediary we stand ready to conduct humanitarian visits; facilitate communication between hostages and family members; and to facilitate any eventual release,” he added.

PHOTO: An Israeli soldier stands next to a military vehicle near Be’eri, Israel. According to Israeli officials, 108 Israeli bodies were found in the Be’eri kibbutz, near the Gaza border, following Hamas attack on 07 October. EPA-EFE/MARTIN DIVISEK