Hamas terrorists in Gaza tunnels.Photo: Reuters.
The mysterious situation around the fate of Israeli prisoners held by the Palestinian resistance in the Gaza Strip is taking on new shades after the failure of the ceasefire talks that took place before the US presidential election on 5 November. According to information provided by a senior Hamas source to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, contact with the Gaza Field Command, which is responsible for the security of prisoners, ceased about a month ago. This, according to the source, indicates that the only way to ensure the lives of those who remain in captivity is to reach an agreement in accordance with the terms of the Palestinian resistance, which is marked by the continuation of Israeli military operations. This is reported by the TimeUkraineIsrael portal with reference to the Qatari edition of Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.
Contact is suspended due to strict security measures
The reason for the cessation of contact with those responsible for the prisoner files was the increased security measures. Last year, in September, Abu Ubaida, the spokesman for the Al-Qassam Brigade, Hamas’ military wing, announced new instructions for prison guards, which included specifics on how to treat prisoners if Israeli forces approach their places of detention. This was done after the deaths of six Israeli prisoners during clashes between Israeli forces and the guard group.
Hamas denies claims of losing control
A leading Hamas source denied allegations that it had lost control of its field leadership in Gaza, stressing that decisions are made exclusively in coordination between different levels of leadership. According to the source, the al-Qassam brigades swore allegiance to the new leadership after the martyrdom of Politburo head Yahya Sinwar. The source also added that the cessation of contact with officials responsible for the prisoner file was the result of security measures taken to preserve an important negotiating card.
Refusal to provide information about American prisoners
An important point was that Hamas refused to provide any information about the conditions of detention of Israeli and American prisoners without compensation, which caused strong pressure from the US administration. The source noted that Washington had asked for information and videos of American prisoners, but Hamas’s response was a refusal, as the US side had not provided clear instructions on how to end hostilities or reach an agreement to end the war with Gaza.
Reorganisation and recruitment of new fighters
After the start of the aggression, al-Qassam brigades not only actively conducted operations in the north of the Gaza Strip, but also made a new recruitment to strengthen their ranks. This is the second recruitment since the beginning of the conflict, which demonstrates the movement’s desire to strengthen its forces in the face of a constant siege and fighting with the Israeli army.
Coordination with other military wings
The source also stressed that the military council of the Al-Qassam Brigade continues to fight in coordination with other military units, despite the large-scale operations by the occupation army. They continue their efforts on the frontline to ensure the safety of Israeli prisoners in Gaza and prevent their release.
Spreading rumours and attempts to incite protests
Regarding the failure of negotiations on the establishment of a committee to manage the Strip, the Hamas source denied any responsibility for this, noting that the Egyptian side has all the details of these negotiations, which are not yet made public. At the same time, the source believes that the leaks of this information are aimed at inciting public opinion in Gaza against Hamas, but the movement, according to him, is acting within the framework of a clear plan to protect the interests of the Palestinian people.
Despite the many challenges and circumstances, Hamas continues to insist that control of the field command in Gaza remains with them, and the security of prisoners and military operations are key in the current situation.
