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CAIRO (Reuters) - Hamas' armed wing announced on Monday that they have been operating under new instructions on how to handle hostages since June, amidst escalating tensions with Israeli forces in Gaza.
The announcement follows the recovery of six hostages' bodies by the Israeli military from a tunnel in Rafah, with claims that they were shot dead by their captors as Israeli forces closed in.
Abu Ubaida, spokesperson for Hamas' al-Qassam Brigades, did not disclose the specifics of the new instructions but held Israel accountable for the hostages' deaths.
These instructions were issued to guards following a rescue operation by Israel in June, where four hostages were freed in a raid resulting in civilian casualties.
In a bold statement, Ubaida criticized Netanyahu's approach to prisoner release, warning that continued military pressure could lead to more deaths among hostages.
Later, Hamas released a video of one of the deceased hostages, raising further concerns about the situation in Gaza.
In response, Netanyahu condemned the killings and vowed retaliation against Hamas for their actions.
Senior Hamas officials dismissed Netanyahu's accusations, blaming him for the deaths and urging for a negotiated settlement to end the conflict.
Despite ongoing efforts, Israel and Hamas have yet to reach a resolution that would secure the release of hostages and bring an end to the conflict.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing situation.
Analysis:
This article sheds light on the escalating tensions between Hamas and Israel, particularly concerning the handling of hostages. The lack of a negotiated settlement poses risks for both parties and could lead to further violence and loss of life. It is crucial for international stakeholders to intervene and facilitate a peaceful resolution to prevent further escalation and humanitarian crises in the region.