Hamas Calls Its Troops That Maintain Hostages Have Received Special Instructions

Israeli military operations in Gaza. (Source: Israel Defense Forces)

JAKARTA - Israeli hostage guards in Gaza have received special instructions in case Israeli Defense Forces are approaching, Hamas Brigade military wing spokesman al-Qassam Abu Ubaida said.

"We say this clearly. After what happened in Nuseirat, the fighters guarding the prisoners received new instructions on how they should deal with the hostages if the Israeli military approached their place of detention," Abu Ubaida said in a statement on Telegram.

Abu Ubaida's explanation refers to the Israeli military operation that succeeded in releasing four hostages in Nuseirat in June.

"Continuous efforts to free the prisoners through military pressure and instead of a deal (the Gaza ceasefire) will only mean that the hostages will return to their families in coffins," the spokesman warned.

Furthermore, Abu Ubaida also accused Israel of "deliberately killing several dozen of their hostages in the bombing" in Gaza.

"Now let the hostages' families decide whether they want to see their loved ones alive or dead," he said.

Earlier, the Israeli military (IDF) found the bodies of six hostages in one of the underground tunnels in Rafah on August 31. A day later, militants said the hostages were killed by Israeli bombings.

However, Israel's Ministry of Health examining the bodies concluded the hostages had been shot dead by Hamas fighters from close range. According to these conclusions, the deaths were believed to have occurred 2-3 days before the bodies were examined.