Hamas Claims Gaza Hostage Guards Now Operating Under New Instructions

Post by : Omar Nasser

Photo : AFP

In Cairo, Hamas' armed wing announced on Monday that since June, the group has been following new instructions for handling hostages if Israeli forces approach their locations in Gaza. This update comes shortly after the Israeli military discovered the bodies of six hostages in a tunnel in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. The hostages were reportedly executed by being shot in the back of the head as Israeli forces closed in.

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Abu Ubaida, a spokesperson for Hamas' al-Qassam Brigades, did not specify the nature of the new instructions but placed the responsibility for the hostages' deaths on Israel. He indicated that these instructions were issued to the guards after an Israeli rescue operation in June, during which four hostages were freed, and numerous Palestinians, including women and children, were killed.

Ubaida criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s approach, suggesting that Netanyahu's reliance on military pressure to secure the release of hostages rather than negotiating a deal would result in the hostages being returned in body bags. "Their families must choose whether they want them dead or alive," Ubaida said.

Later on Monday, Hamas' armed wing released a pre-recorded video of one of the deceased hostages. The timing of the video’s recording remains unclear. In response, Netanyahu declared in a press conference that the hostages had been executed by being shot in the back of the head and promised severe repercussions for Hamas.

Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri countered Netanyahu's statements, alleging that Netanyahu's accusations were a tactic to deflect responsibility for the hostages' deaths. "Netanyahu killed the six prisoners and is determined to kill the remaining ones. The Israelis must choose between Netanyahu or a deal," Abu Zuhri stated.

Ezzat El Rashq, a member of the Hamas political bureau, echoed these sentiments, asserting that the resistance's hostages could be returned to their families immediately if not for Netanyahu’s obstruction. He stated, "The one stalling their return and responsible for their lives is Netanyahu."

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas remains unresolved, with both sides failing to agree on terms that would end the war and facilitate the release of Israeli and foreign hostages held by Hamas in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Hamas seeks an agreement to end the war and withdraw Israeli forces from Gaza, while Netanyahu insists that the war will only end with Hamas's defeat.