Gaza Herald– Abu Obeida, spokesperson for the Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, announced that Israel has rejected a proposed ceasefire deal that would have led to the release of all Israeli captives held in Gaza.
In a media statement, Abu Obeida said that Hamas had been prepared to proceed with a comprehensive agreement that would ensure the release of all captives in exchange for an end to the aggression and the lifting of the blockade on Gaza. He added that Israel’s rejection of this “humanitarian and political offer” proves once again that it “does not care about the lives of its prisoners.”
He stressed that the Palestinian resistance is fully prepared for a “long-term war” should Israel insist on continuing its assault and refusal to engage in political solutions. “This battle will not end until our people’s goals are achieved ; foremost among them an end to the aggression and the full lifting of the siege,” he said.
His remarks come amid a breakdown in indirect negotiations mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United Nations, with both sides accusing each other of obstructing progress. International reports had indicated that Hamas’s offer included a phased ceasefire, prisoner exchanges, and the reconstruction of Gaza. However, Israel reportedly demanded “full security guarantees” and rejected key elements of the deal.
Meanwhile, resistance sources affirmed that they are capable of withstanding a prolonged military confrontation despite the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza, where over two million Palestinians face hunger and displacement due to the ongoing war since October.
