The military wing of the Palestinian Hamas resistance movement says it remains a “high alert” in preparation for “all possibilities,” emphasizing that Israel’s threat to resume war in the besieged Gaza Strip will not ensure the release of Israeli prisoners of war.
Al-Qassam Brigade spokesman Abu Ubaida made a speech on Thursday in a video-recorded speech, highlighting that what could not be achieved through “arms and war” cannot be achieved through “threats and deceptions.”
His comments came the day after President Donald Trump threatened to kill the remaining Israeli prisoners of war held in the Gaza Strip if they didn’t immediately release them on besieged territory.
“In spite of the enemy’s violations and betrayal, we continue to commit to the prisoner exchange agreement in all details before the world and the mediator. We have decided to maintain this agreement to prevent the loss of blood of our people, remove excuses, and respect our commitment to the mediator.
Israel has accepted Hamas’ long-standing terms of negotiations under the three-stage Gaza ceasefire that began on January 19th.
In Phase 1, which ended Saturday, a total of 33 Israeli prisoners, including eight bodies, were released in exchange for around 2,000 Palestinian aiduteees held in the regime prisons.
However, Israel refused to advance to the second phase of the ceasefire.
“The enemy of Israel is the fundamental rights of our people and has circumvented many of its commitments, relying on bullying, stalling and rog arrogance,” Abu Ubaida said.
“An enemy leaders are trying to bypass the agreement so that the Prime Minister and Minister can prioritize party interests over prisoner lives and ensure US support for all forms of attack.”
Abu Ubaida said the international community had witnessed the enemy “exploiting Palestinian prisoners” who gave them “terrifying testimony” about the regime’s “criminal treatment.”
After the expiration of the first phase of the ceasefire, Israel blocked all humanitarian entry into Gaza with a serious violation of international law. Blocking has also been accused of being a crime against humanity.
“The Islamic Umma does not experience peace or stability, nor will it hold a magnificent place among the nations until this sacred site (Palestine) is purified from the Zionist occupying,” emphasized Abu Ubaida.
He also emphasized that the quickest path to stability and peace in the region is to “control the Zionist regime” and that it is to force it to respect the signed commitments.
“The threat of the enemy to return to war will only push us back onto the battlefield and crush the rest of their credibility,” he said. He emphasized that the threat of the enemy only reflects “weakness and humiliation.”
A spokesman for the Alcasam Brigade said “escalation of the attack is likely to kill some of the enemy’s prisoners.”
Israel launched a genocide war in the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023. Hamas was after he conducted a historic operation against the seizing groups in retaliation for intensifying atrocities against the Palestinians.
The Tel Aviv regime failed to achieve its declared purpose of freeing prisoners and eliminating Hamas, despite killing at least 48,440 Palestinians, mostly women and children in Gaza.