The Al-Qassam Brigades, which is the military wing of Palestinian terror group Hamas, has pledged that it will continue to attempt abductions of IDF soldiers in hopes of freeing Palestinian terrorists from Israeli prisons.
In 2011, Israel traded 1,000 Palestinian terrorists for kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit. The exchange was met with fears that the Israeli government had set a precedent that would encourage and incentivize Palestinian terror groups to kidnap more Israeli soldiers and civilians.
Obtaining the release of Palestinian “prisoners” remains “fundamental to the military concept of the Al-Qassam Brigades,” said Al-Qassam Brigades spokesman Abu Obaydeh.
“The Qassam Brigades carry the torch of the liberation of these prisoners since its inception, and they will continue in this path until the last prisoner has won his freedom,” he added.
Hamas is currently attempting to negotiate with Israel for the release of the bodies of Israeli soldiers Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin. Both IDF soldiers were killed in last summer’s 50-day war between Israel and Hamas.
Separately, Walla! News reported on Monday that Hamas is considering a long-term ceasefire deal with Israel in exchange for the Jewish state lifting its transport, import, and export restrictions on the Gaza Strip. However, Hamas has been known to violate its end of the bargain when it comes to enforcing ceasefires. Both Israel and Hamas have denied the reports of such a deal being negotiated.
Meanwhile, the Hamas movement has continued to stir up trouble in the Palestinian Authority-ruled areas of the West Bank. On Monday, Palestinian security officials arrested dozens of Hamas militants who were operating throughout the territory. “We received information that 60 members of Hamas were arrested throughout the West Bank,” a Hamas source confirmed to AFP.
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.