Saleh al-Arouri says Hamas has enough Israeli captives to make Israel free all Palestinian prisoners in its jails.
The Hamas deputy chief told Al Jazeera, “We managed to kill and capture many Israeli soldiers. The fighting is still on. As to our prisoners I say, your freedom is looming large. What we have in hand will see you set free. The longer fighting continues, the higher the number of prisoners will become.”
In a statement, Saleh al-Arouri, deputy head of Hamas’ political bureau: “The Palestinian resistance and the Al-Qassam Brigades will not remain silent in the face of the desecration of our sacred sites. We will not accept the continuation of the siege on Gaza or the ongoing detention of our prisoners in Israeli prisons.”
The Israeli government has said at least 40 Israelis have been killed in the attack, but local media is reporting that the number has now risen to at least 100.
Al Jazeera’s Sara Khairat, reporting from occupied East Jerusalem, said the figure could not immediately be verified.
“We’re still waiting on a confirmation from the Israeli government or health ministry,” she added.
