Hamas threatens to ‘neutralise’ hostages if Israel launches rescue operation
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
People walk past a large billboard showing an image of Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who was killed in captivity.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
Follow topic:
DUBAI - Hamas said it had information that Israel intended to carry out a hostage rescue operation similar to one conducted in Gaza's Nuseirat camp in June and threatened to "neutralise" the captives if any such action took place, according to an internal statement seen by Reuters on Dec 4.
In the statement dated Nov 22, Hamas told its operatives not to consider what the repercussions of following the instructions might be and said it held Israel responsible for the fate of the hostages.
The statement, which a senior Hamas source told Reuters was circulated to its factions by the intelligence unit of the group's military wing Izz el-Deen al-Qassam Brigades, did not say when any Israeli operation was expected to take place.
There was no immediate Israeli response to the statement.
On Dec 4, Israeli media cited Defence Minister Israel Katz as saying pressure on Hamas was increasing and this time "we will really be able to advance a hostage deal".
Israel's Nuseirat rescue operation on June 9 saw Israeli forces free four hostages
In the Hamas statement, the group told its operatives to "tighten" the living conditions of the captives and said this should be done in accordance with instructions issued after the Nuseirat operation.
In a section titled "recommendations", Hamas also instructed its operatives to "activate neutralisation orders... as an immediate and swift response to any adventure by the enemy."
Israel launched its campaign in Gaza after Hamas-led fighters attacked Israeli communities
Israel's military campaign has since killed more than 44,500 Palestinians and injured many others, according to Palestinians figures. The offensive has reduced much of Gaza to rubble. REUTERS
