The Deputy Secretary General of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Mohammad al-Hindi, has proposed extending the ceasefire between the Israeli occupation and the Palestinian resistance in the Gaza Strip for at least two days.

In an interview with Al Mayadeen, al-Hindi emphasized the necessity of pursuing "a new and distinct negotiation path, as we seek separate ceasefires for a more extended period, separate from the issue of aid."

He also highlighted that the resistance is grappling with significant challenges and facing attempts at blackmail during negotiations. Simultaneously, he stressed that the decisive factor will be "the performance of the resistance on the ground."

If the occupation falters due to the legendary steadfastness of the people of Gaza, there will be "no alternatives for the occupation," as internal consensus regarding the war has started to diminish. This is in light of the existence of alternative options to secure the release of prisoners, as confirmed by al-Hindi in his statement to Al Mayadeen.

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Similarly, he indicated that discussions about "the comprehensive deal began from day one, and this aligns with how the United States of America thinks. However, the dilemma lies in the future of Gaza."

Al-Hindi emphasized that the resistance would consider any force attempting to control Gaza against the will of its people as an "occupying force." He added that the fate of the Strip is interconnected with the destiny of occupied al-Quds, the West Bank, and all of occupied Palestine.

He also affirmed that US President Joe Biden and his administration are more focused on the occupation entity than Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The Deputy Secretary General of the PIJ also emphasized that regional tensions in the Red Sea and on the southern Lebanon front will contribute to "shifting the American position" regarding the aggression on the Gaza Strip. Simultaneously, he indicated that the foundation lies in Gaza's steadfastness.

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In his statement to Al Mayadeen, al-Hindi discussed what unites the Al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Jihad Movement, and the Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Hamas Movement, in a video documenting their handover of the fifth batch of Israeli captives. He explained that the goal is to underscore the unity of the resistance.

The women and children captives, he confirmed, were handed over by the Al-Quds Brigades during the first three days of the truce.

#WATCH | The moment the sixth batch of Israeli captives in #Gaza was released by the Palestinian Resistance as part of the truce and exchange deal. pic.twitter.com/KESoWZg2Jr

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) November 29, 2023

Regarding male and female reserve officers, he continued, "the cost differs from the current prices," emphasizing that a significant number of male and female soldiers and officers still held captive "will compel the occupation to engage in a major exchange deal."

According to him, the Israeli captives who were released by the resistance "are unable to disclose how they were treated  due to Israeli propaganda being rooted in falsehoods."

Al-Hindi pointed out that the world has started to speak out against Israeli violations in the face of "the unprecedented massacres carried out by the occupation." He emphasized that "the issue of the Palestinian people is the entire world's concern."

He added to Al Mayadeen that "Israel" has presented itself to the world as "a gang of murderers and criminals, not an oasis for democracy," stressing that "there can be no security or peace without the Palestinian people obtaining their rights."