'Israel' refused our offer to release two captives: Abu Obeida

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
21 Oct 2023 23:58
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The spokesperson for al-Qassam Brigades says the Israeli government refused to receive two Israelis held captive by the Resistance.

Abu Obeida, the spokesperson for al-Qassam Brigades

Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Hamas movement, confirmed on Saturday that it planned to release two Israeli captives on "humanitarian grounds", but the Israeli occupation government declined the offer.

"Last night, we notified the Qatari brothers that we will release Nurit Ishak and Yohevid Efshitz on humanitarian grounds, without any conditions. However, the occupation government rejected this proposal," the spokesperson for Al-Qassam Brigades, Abu Obeida, announced in a statement.

This comes as Abu Obeida announced on Friday that the Brigades released two captive US citizens also on "humanitarian grounds".

"In response to Qatar's efforts, we released two detained US women (mother and daughter) on humanitarian grounds to prove to the US people and the world that the allegations of [US President Joe] Biden and his fascist administration are unfounded lies," he said in a statement released by Hamas.

On October 16, Abu Obeida estimated that there are approximately 200 to 250 captives or more, with 200 of them being held by al-Qassam Brigades. He also noted that the ruthless aggression on buildings and homes without prior warning has resulted in the death of 22 captives so far.

Abu Obeida revealed that the Resistance is holding captives of different nationalities, adding that there was no opportunity to verify their identities amid Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, vowing to keep them safe and treat them well, keeping in mind the indiscriminate Israeli strikes and shelling on Gaza.

He called on all the countries of the world to warn their citizens against fighting alongside the Israeli army, confirming that the Resistance would release foreign prisoners "if the necessary conditions are met."

Earlier on Saturday, Hamas official Osama Hamdan made it clear in a press conference from Lebanon that the movement will not discuss the fate of Israeli military captives until "Tel Aviv" ends its aggression on the Gaza Strip.