Ezzedine Al-Haddad appeared on television program affirming directives to treat Israeli captives humanely
ISTANBUL — Hamas’ armed wing, Al-Qassam Brigades, reiterated that it instructed its fighters to treat Israeli prisoners in the Gaza Strip humanely and under Islamic teachings, contrary to Israel which continuously sought to harm them.
A statement by Ezzedine Al-Haddad, a member of the group’s military council, on a television program aired Friday by the Qatari Al Jazeera channel under the title “The Flood,” noted the group secured the capture operations of Israelis “according to pre-planned routes, ensuring they were hidden from the enemy and its advanced technologies.”
“Our directive was to treat the enemy’s prisoners humanely, following Islamic teachings. We safeguarded their lives and ensured their proper treatment,” he added.
The military commander accused Israel of “deciding to kill them (Israeli captives) from the very first day of the operation, and continued to target them until this day.”
The program, “The Hidden is More Immense,” covered details of the Al-Aqsa Flood operation by Palestinian groups on Oct. 7, 2023. It broadcast exclusive footage of Hamas’ former leader Yahya Sinwar who was killed by Israel in October.
During the attack, which targeted Israeli military bases and settlements near Gaza, Palestinian groups, mainly Hamas’ Al-Qassam Brigades, managed to capture 251 Israelis, many of whom were military personnel, according to Israeli army estimates.
Israel has yet to comment on Al-Haddad’s statement.
A ceasefire deal that began Sunday between Israel and Hamas brought an end to Israel’s devastating onslaught on Gaza, which, since Oct. 7, 2023, claimed the lives of more than 47,000 Palestinians, the majority of whom were women and children.
The three-phase agreement includes a prisoner exchange and sustained calm, aiming for a permanent truce and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
The onslaught has left Gaza in ruins, and its residents displaced, hungry and prone to disease.
The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in November last year for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave. — AA
