The military spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), Abu Hamza, congratulated prisoner Hisham Abu Hawash on his historic victory in his heroic battle.

Abu Hamza said they were following up on the most minute developments in Abu Hawash's battle, and they instructed PIJ combatants to be at the ready, with their fingers on the trigger. Abu Hamza pledged to all prisoners that they will not let them down, and will stand by their side as a Resistance at all times.

Shallah: Occupation failed in bid to kill Abu Hawash

PIJ senior official Mohammad Shallah told Al Mayadeen that information the group received recently suggested that "the Israelis were determined to kill Hisham, as it sees that every time the PIJ pressured it, it won, and then the PIJ would go to the media, expose the occupation's crimes, and celebrate its victory."

"The Israeli occupation was asking mediators with the PIJ to tone down their threats," Shallah revealed, asserting that the PIJ did not listen to any mediators, "But we are thankful for their efforts."

According to the senior official, PIJ had fully coordinated with Al-Quds Brigades and Al-Qassam Brigades in case the Israeli occupation "made the decision to drag us into a battle, and we were expecting the occupation to stall until the martyrdom of Hisham."

Shallah explained that what they expected from the occupation was the reason behind their calls to protests and preparing the people through marches and protests.

"The Israeli occupation got our message, and it was convinced that we were completely serious, determined, and unwavering; PIJ was determined to liberate the prisoner," he asserted.

Had Abu Hawash been martyred, he stressed, "We would have seen that as an assassination, and there would have been a response."

PIJ and Hamas officials had warned the Israeli occupation on Monday that they would escalate if Abu Hawash were to be martyred, placing occupation forces fully responsible for his life.

Abu Hawash seizes his freedom

Hunger-striking Palestinian prisoner Hisham Abu Hawash is expected to end his hunger strike in the coming hours, Al Mayadeen's correspondent had reported.

"Abu Hawash's decision to end his hunger strike comes after reaching an agreement that stipulates that he would be freed on February 26," our correspondent added.