כיכר השבת

Hamas Issues Statement After Video Exposes Staged “Discovery” of Remains

Hamas released a full statement following the circulation of a video appearing to show its members staging the “discovery” of remains believed to belong to Israeli hostages. In the statement, the terror group accused Israel of “systematically obstructing efforts” to locate and recover bodies in the Gaza Strip, including those of Israeli soldiers and Palestinian casualties. Hamas claimed that Israel “explicitly refused” to allow the entry of joint search teams from the International Committee of the Red Cross and “the Palestinian resistance” to several areas in Gaza. “The occupation has also prevented the entry of the necessary heavy machinery and equipment that would enable expedited and complete search operations for the bodies of its soldiers,” the group said, further accusing Israel of blocking the recovery of Palestinian bodies “under the rubble.” Hamas rejected Israeli accusations that it had delayed recovery efforts, calling them “baseless and aimed at misleading public opinion.” It warned that Israel was “seeking to fabricate false pretexts in preparation for new aggressive steps” and urged mediators to “compel the occupation to cease its deceptive practices.”