Since June, Hamas has been operating under new instructions, its ’ armed wing said on Monday. Instructions include how to handle hostages, should Israeli forces approach their locations in Gaza.
The announcement comes days after the Israeli military recovered the bodies of six hostages from a tunnel in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, saying they had been shot dead by their captors as Israeli forces got close.
Hamas Blames Israel
Abu Ubaida, spokesperson for Hamas’ al-Qassam Brigades, did not provide details on what the instructions were. He said his group holds Israel responsible for deaths of the hostages.
The new instructions, Ubaida said, were given to guards of hostages after a rescue operation by Israel in June. At that time, Israeli forces freed four hostages in a raid. In the raid dozens of Palestinians were killed, including women and children.
“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,” he said.
Later on Monday, the Hamas armed wing published a pre-recorded video of one of the six dead hostages. It was unclear when the video was made.
Netanyahu Vows Strong Response
Netanyahu said in a press conference on Monday that the hostages had been shot in the back of the head, and promised that Hamas would pay a heavy price.
Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri said Netanyahu’s accusations against Hamas were an attempt to escape responsibility for their deaths.
“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.
Similarly, Ezzat El Rashq, a member of the Hamas political bureau, said in a statement published by the group on Monday: “The resistance’s hostages can immediately return to their families, the [one] stalling their return and responsible for their lives is Netanyahu.”
Hostage Negotiations at Standstill
Israel and Hamas have failed to reach a deal that would end the war and see the release of Israeli and foreign hostages held by Hamas in Gaza in return for many Palestinians jailed by Israel.
Hamas wants an agreement to end the war and get Israeli forces out of Gaza. However, Netanyahu says the war can only end once Hamas is defeated.
(with inputs from Reuters)
