A high-ranking official of the Palestinian Hamas said this Friday evening that the organization is “ready” to face a possible ground operation by the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip.

“If Netanyahu decides to enter Gaza tonight, the resistance is ready” Ezzat al-Rishek said on the Telegram platform, adding that “the land of Gaza will swallow the pieces of (Israeli) soldiers.”

Another Hamas official, however, proposed the release of foreign (non-Israeli) hostages in exchange for a five-day ceasefire. The statement was made to the Financial Times by the leader of the Al Barakeh organization. He clarified that there will be additional terms for the release of Israeli civilians, while no Israeli soldiers will be released.

“Anyone who sincerely and genuinely cares about the lives of citizens should to demand the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. Perfect”, however, a senior Israeli official said, rejecting Hamas’ proposal.

“Hamas will not release any Israeli soldiers,” Mr. Barakeh clarified. “We keep them for exchange [κρατουμένων]» clarified the leading Arab official who lives in exile abroad.

Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, asked the whole world “to take immediate action” in order to stop the Israeli bombardment which intensified significantly tonight in this enclave.

“We call on Arab and Muslim countries and the international community to take responsibility and act now to stop the crimes and slaughter of our people,” the organization said in a statement.

Earlier, the Israeli military spokesman announced that the Air Force and ground forces were intensifying their operations in the Gaza Strip. “In the last few hours we have intensified the attacks on Gaza,” said Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, speaking on Israeli television.

According to Haggari, the Air Force is launching strikes in Hamas tunnels and other infrastructure.

“In addition to the attacks carried out in recent days, the ground forces are expanding their operations tonight,” he added, without specifying whether this would be the start of the Israeli army’s ground operations in Gaza.