Khaled Meshaal, the former head of the Palestinian armed faction Hamas, said there were about 200 to 250 Israeli prisoners in the Gaza Strip.
On the 16th (local time), Meshaal said in a recorded video released on social media “I hope they will be released in exchange for Israeli prisoners,” he said.
He continued, “Israeli prisoners include high-ranking officers,” and “(in addition to Israelis) there are also hostages of other nationalities. “We will release them when the situation allows,” he added.
On this day, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that there were 199 hostages held in the Gaza Strip, which exceeds this figure. According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), nationals from about 30 countries are believed to have been taken hostage by Hamas.
Meshaal emphasized, “Netanyahu is carrying out a horrific and heinous massacre in the Gaza Strip,” and “is escalating his aggression in the region at the expense of children and women.”
Also, regarding the lack of proper border crossing between the southern Gaza Strip and Egypt, Meshaal said, “It is in Egypt’s interest to reject refugees from the Gaza Strip. He expressed his understanding, saying, “Refugees harm Egypt’s national security and are dangerous for Jordan, and it is in the interests of Arab countries to reject them.”
Meshaal also said, “Hezbollah has thankfully taken action, but more is needed in the fight.”
Hezbollah, a pro-Iranian Lebanese armed political faction, has continued sporadic fighting with Israel since the Palestinian armed political faction Hamas attacked Israel. As Hezbollah’s attacks recently increased, Israel issued an evacuation order in northern Israel, adjacent to the Lebanese border. Areas up to 4km from Lebanon’s northern border are currently closed.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.