Israel Rejects Ceasefire Treaty, Hamas Spokesperson: Ready For A Long War!

ILLUSTRATION/Israeli Military/DOK Israel Defense Forces (IDF)

JAKARTA - A Hamas military wing spokesman said Israel rejected a ceasefire agreement that would release all prisoners detained in Gaza. Based on this, Hamas is ready for a long war if there is no agreement.

Abu Obeida, a longtime spokesman for the Qassam Brigade, said in a nearly 20-minute pre-resecade video released on Friday that the group in recent months offered a comprehensive agreement' that would free all prisoners at once but rejected by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his right-wing minister.

It has become clear to us that Netanyahu's criminal government has no real interest in prisoners because they are soldiers, "he said, adding that Hamas supports a deal that guarantees the end of the war, withdrawal of Israeli troops, and the entry of humanitarian aid to the trapped Palestinians.

If Israel withdraws from an indirect round of talks held in Qatar, Abu Obeida says, then Hamas does not guarantee a return to a partial agreement, including a 60-day deal currently being discussed that will see 10 prisoners released.

Hamas is still holding 50 people in Gaza, about 20 of whom are believed to be alive. Speaking during dinner with lawmakers at the White House on Friday, US President Donald Trump claimed 10 other prisoners would soon be released from Gaza.

"We got most of the hostages back. We'll have another 10 coming in the near future, and we hope it's finished quickly," Trump said.

US leaders have claimed for weeks that a ceasefire and a prisoner's deal are imminent, but nothing has materialized.

In its first video message since early March, Abu Obeida also said Hamas fighters were "ready to continue the long battle" and would continue to ambush in Gaza with the aim of killing or arresting Israeli soldiers who attacked.