Israeli hostages to be sent back in coffins: Hamas

Last Updated on September 4, 2024 7:31 am

The Palestinian independence group Hamas has warned that the hostages will be sent back in coffins if the Israeli military offensive in Gaza continues.

The warning was given by the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigade, the military wing of the organization, on Monday.

Al Qassam Brigade spokesman Abu Ubaida said in a statement that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants to release the prisoners through military pressure instead of an agreement. This means hostages will be returned to their families in coffins. Ubaidah also said in the statement that Hamas members have been given new instructions for the security of the prisoners.

According to a report by the AFP news agency, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has been under heavy fire since the bodies of six hostages were recovered from a tunnel in Gaza. He listens to sarcasm from the people of his own country.

Hamas took 250 hostages from Israel on October 7 last year. The Palestine Liberation Organization has returned 117 prisoners so far.

The release of the rest of the prisoners was conditioned on the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Philadelphia border.

Meanwhile, the Netanyahu administration is reluctant to accept the condition, fearing that removing troops from this important border could allow Hamas to resume importing weapons.