The release of hostages in the coming days was announced today in a video message by Abu Ubeida, representative of the Al Qassam Brigadesimplying that they will not be Israelis but citizens of other countries.

At the same time, the representative of the military arm of the Palestinian Islamist organization questioned yesterday’s announcement by the Israeli Armed Forces (IDF) about the release of a woman. Abu Obeida claimed that Ori Meghidis – the Israeli army corporal who, according to a joint statement by the IDF and the Shin Bet, was freed in an operation in the Gaza Strip on Monday – was not among the Al-Qassam Brigades prisoners.

Repeating his threats that the Gaza Strip would become a “graveyard” for Israeli soldiers, the representative of the military arm of Hamas warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he would suffer a “crushing defeat” that would spell the end of his political career.