CAIRO. Hamas’ military wing announced on Monday that it has been following new guidelines regarding the treatment of hostages in Gaza since June, as tensions with Israeli forces intensify. The declaration follows the discovery of the bodies of six hostages by the Israeli military, who were found in a tunnel in Rafah, southern Gaza. The hostages were reportedly shot by their captors as Israeli forces approached the location.
Abu Ubaida, the spokesperson for Hamas’ al-Qassam Brigades, confirmed that new instructions were issued to the guards of hostages after an Israeli rescue mission in June. During that operation, Israeli forces managed to free four hostages, but the raid resulted in the deaths of dozens of Palestinians, including women and children. However, Ubaida did not disclose the specific nature of these new directives.
“Netanyahu’s insistence to free prisoners through military pressure, instead of sealing a deal, means they will be returned to their families in shrouds. Their families must choose whether they want them dead or alive,” Ubaida stated, placing the blame for the deaths of the hostages on Israel.
Later in the day, the al-Qassam Brigades released a pre-recorded video featuring one of the six deceased hostages, though the date of the recording remains unclear.
In a press conference on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that the hostages had been shot in the back of the head, vowing that Hamas would “pay a heavy price” for their actions.
Responding to Netanyahu’s remarks, senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri accused the Israeli Prime Minister of attempting to evade responsibility. “Netanyahu killed the six prisoners and he is determined to kill the remaining ones. The Israelis should choose between Netanyahu or the deal,” Abu Zuhri said.
Echoing this sentiment, Ezzat El Rashq, a member of Hamas’ political bureau, issued a statement asserting, “The resistance’s hostages can immediately return to their families; the one stalling their return and responsible for their lives is Netanyahu.”
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has seen both sides fail to reach a resolution that would end the hostilities and secure the release of Israeli and foreign hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. Hamas demands an end to the war and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, while Netanyahu insists that the war will only cease once Hamas is fully defeated.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
