The military wing of Hamas has accused Israel of rejecting a ceasefire proposal that would have ensured the release of all captives held in Gaza, warning that the group is prepared for a prolonged conflict if negotiations falter once more.
In a pre-recorded video released on Friday, Abu Obeida, the spokesperson for the Qassam Brigades, said that Hamas had presented a “comprehensive deal” in recent months aimed at releasing all captives simultaneously. However, the proposal was allegedly turned down by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and members of his far-right cabinet.
“It has become clear to us that the government of the criminal Netanyahu has no real interest in the captives because they are soldiers,” Abu Obeida said. He added that Hamas favours a deal that includes an end to hostilities, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and the unimpeded entry of humanitarian aid.
The remarks come amid reports that indirect negotiations in Qatar have stalled. Abu Obeida cautioned that if Israel withdraws from the current talks, Hamas will not guarantee a return to partial deals — including a 60-day agreement under discussion that could have resulted in the release of 10 captives.
According to the group, around 50 captives remain in Gaza, though only 20 are believed to be alive.
Speaking at a White House dinner on Friday, US President Donald Trump claimed that an additional 10 hostages would be released soon. “We got most of the hostages back. We’re going to have another 10 coming very shortly, and we hope to have that finished quickly,” he said, without elaborating further.
Trump has been claiming for several weeks that a breakthrough in ceasefire and hostage negotiations is imminent, but thus far no tangible progress has emerged.
In his first video address since March, Abu Obeida also signalled Hamas’s readiness for a drawn-out battle. “Our fighters are prepared to continue a long battle of attrition,” he stated, adding that ambushes on Israeli troops would persist across Gaza.
He also criticised Arab and Islamic leaders for what he described as complicity through silence. “Your necks are burdened with the blood of tens of thousands of innocents who were betrayed by your silence,” he said, referring to the mounting death toll in Gaza.
The statement coincides with growing frustration over the lack of progress in Doha, where ceasefire talks have yet to yield results. Israel continues to insist on maintaining military control over key corridors in Gaza, including the Morag and Magen Oz corridors, effectively separating Rafah and Khan Younis from the northern areas.
Israeli forces have also faced condemnation for reportedly blocking humanitarian aid and allegedly killing starving Palestinians at distribution points managed by the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Fund (GHF).
In a further escalation, Israeli authorities are reportedly moving ahead with plans to build a detention facility on the ruins of Rafah, despite mounting international criticism.
Medical sources confirmed to Al Jazeera that at least 41 Palestinians were killed on Friday alone, bringing the total number of deaths since the war began in October 2023 to 58,667, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health. The ministry also reported that at least 139,974 have been wounded, with 7,843 killed and 27,993 injured since the last ceasefire collapsed in March.
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