Fate of Israeli captives tied to Netanyahu's actions: Abu Hamza

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
12 Feb 2025 21:01

The spokesperson for the al-Quds Brigades held the Israeli occupation government responsible for reneging on the ceasefire agreement and its ongoing violations.

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Israeli captive Arbel Yehoud, 29, is escorted by Hamas and Islamic Jihad fighters as she is handed over to the Red Cross in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

The fate of Israeli captives held by the Palestinian Resistance in Gaza is directly tied to the actions of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whether negatively or positively, the spokesperson for the al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) movement, pointed out on Wednesday.

Abu Hamza held the Israeli government responsible for reneging on the ceasefire agreement and its ongoing violations, reaffirming the "firm principle that the resistance remains committed to the ceasefire agreement in all its aspects, as long as the enemy abides by it."

He added that events since the start of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood have proven that "the only solution for retrieving the prisoners and restoring stability lies in a prisoner exchange deal."

The spokesperson also emphasized that the Palestinian Resistance "has fulfilled its duties and commitments to the fullest extent," while "Israel" has abandoned its captives, leaving them in danger and uncertainty.

Following his remarks, the military media unit of the al-Quds Brigades released a video titled, "Their [the captives'] fate Is undoubtedly tied to Netanyahu’s actions," which showed Israeli captives who were released as part of previous exchange deals.

The video concluded with the statement, "Gadi Mozes, Arbel Yehud, and their comrades were released only through a prisoner exchange… What about the rest? Their fate is undoubtedly tied to Netanyahu’s actions."

الإعلام الحربي في #سريا_القدس ينشر مقطع بعنوان: مصيرهم حتماً مرتبط بسلوك نتنياهو #غزة #فلسطين_المحتلة pic.twitter.com/Xnct8vzK3z
— قناة الميادين (@AlMayadeenNews) February 12, 2025

On the Israeli side, reserve Major General Amos Gilad acknowledged that "there is no alternative to negotiations for the return of the captives."

In an article published in Yedioth Ahronoth, Gilad—formerly the head of the Political-Security Bureau at the Israeli Ministry of Security—warned that resuming the war on Gaza "would put the captives' lives at risk."

The current fragile ceasefire agreement is at risk of being jeopardized in recent days, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned on Tuesday that the bombardment of Gaza would resume if captives were not released by Saturday.

His statement matched that of US President Donald Trump, who warned a day earlier that "all hell" would break out if Hamas did not release "all" Israeli captives by Saturday.

This comes after the spokesperson for the Martyr Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Abu Obeida, announced that the captive exchange set for February 15 has been postponed until further notice, due to the ongoing Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement.

The violations include Palestinians being shot at, tanks trespassing the permitted distance, and preventing the entry of heavy equipment, medical supplies, and caravans.

Hamas had been set to release captives on Saturday in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, but the group now demands that "Israel" fulfill its obligations and compensate for its violations before the process can continue.