A demonstration in Israel for the families of prisoners held by Hamas (Reuters)
With the Israeli army confirming the presence of 230 prisoners in the Gaza Strip, Hamas is back in the same situation.
Prisoners against all prisoners
The movement announced in a statement on Saturday once again its willingness to release its prisoners in exchange for all Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons.
Hamas has explained that it is ready for a swap deal that includes all Palestinian detainees in exchange for all prisoners.
However, the Israeli military saw this offer as “psychological warfare to put pressure on Tel Aviv.”
This came against a backdrop of growing concern among families of prisoners held by Hamas fighters since October 7, particularly with the expansion of Israel’s ground operation in Gaza, especially after the night of violence witnessed in Gaza. Strip Friday.
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The families of the detainees, the majority of whom are Israelis, expressed their “concern” and asked the government for explanations about the intensification of the bombing. You confirmed in a statement today, Saturday, that you are awaiting explanations from the government and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
This morning he also invited Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and members of the war cabinet,” Reuters reported.
Additionally, residents threatened to demonstrate this evening if Netanyahu and Gallant did not meet with them, the Israel Radio and Television Authority reported.
These families ask for explanations about “how the battles on the field do not affect the detainees and what are the guarantees that they will not be killed”.
On the other hand, the Israeli army’s chief spokesman refused to say whether Israel was responsible for the communications disruption in Gaza yesterday, Friday, and simply said that Israel will do whatever is necessary to protect its forces.
In response to a question about whether Israel had disrupted mobile phone services at the start of the ground attack that began Friday evening, Admiral Daniel said
Hajari: “Tel Aviv is trying to protect its forces and we will not reveal anything else on this matter.”
The army, however, confirmed the presence of 230 prisoners in the Gaza Strip.
Isolate the Gaza Strip
Interestingly, sources familiar with the ongoing indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas, mediated by Qatar and Egypt, for the release of a number of prisoners, reported that they had reached an impasse.
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This prompted Israeli forces to step up operations on the ground, after cutting off all communications and the internet from Gaza.
The communications breakdown led to the Gaza Strip’s isolation from the outside world throughout last night.
While Israeli Army Chief of Staff Herzi Halevy announced on Saturday that the army is entering a new phase of the war against Hamas in Gaza, while ground forces continue their operations in the Palestinian Strip, which is being bombed .
This came in light of continued bombing after a bloody night the likes of which had not been seen since the war since 7 October.
Interestingly, the Israeli army announced in its latest budget that the number of prisoners held by Hamas has so far reached 229, and is likely to increase.
While the Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the movement, had previously reported that the number ranged between 200 and 250, adding that 50 had been killed by the Israeli bombardment of Gaza.
They were arrested on October 7, when Hamas fighters carried out a surprise attack on settlements and military bases in the Gaza Strip, bringing them into the Strip within hours.