Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is looking for an “illusion” at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, said Abu Obaida, the military spokesman for the Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Hamas movement
“Netanyahu and his war cabinet are looking for a mirage that points to their incompetence and hollow arrogance,” Abu Obaida said in a recorded speech.
The Israeli army raided Al-Shifa, the largest medical complex in the Gaza Strip, on Wednesday as part of its offensive in the Gaza Strip.
“The army raid on the hospital to show their strength is proof of their failure and defeat,” Abu Obaida said.
The Israeli army announced on Friday that its forces recovered the body of a female soldier held captive by Hamas in a building near Al-Shifa Hospital.
“We killed 9 Israeli soldiers, destroyed two military vehicles, destroyed an apartment where enemy soldiers were barricaded in Beit Hanoun, and killed those who were inside. In the last 4 days, we destroyed 62 military vehicles,” added the Hamas spokesman.
Abu Obaida said Hamas was trying to protect the hostages’ lives, but was sometimes unable to because of Israeli airstrikes.
“We are telling you (the Israelis) that it seems your leadership has decided to sacrifice your prisoners. The Qassam Brigades have offered to make a prisoner exchange agreement since the beginning of the fight to solve this humanitarian problem,” he explained.
Abu Obaida stated Hamas fighters had prepared for a “long battle”.
“The longer the occupation remains in Gaza, the greater their losses will be,” he emphasized.
Israel has launched relentless air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip since the October 7th cross-border attack by Hamas.
More than 12.000 Palestinians were killed, including more than 8.300 women and children, and more than 30.000 were wounded, according to the latest figures from the Palestinian Authority, Klix.ba reports.
E.Dz.
