In a recent CNN interview, Hamas official Osama Hamdan revealed the concerning uncertainty surrounding the fate of the remaining 120 Israeli hostages in Gaza, stating bluntly, “No one has an idea” about their status.
Amidst ongoing ceasefire negotiations, Hamdan emphasized Hamas’s prerequisites for any agreement, stressing the necessity for Israel to commit unequivocally to a complete withdrawal from Gaza.
He articulated Hamas’s stance, declaring, “We needed a clear position from Israel to accept the ceasefire, a complete withdrawal from Gaza, and let the Palestinians to determine their future by themselves.”
However, Hamdan expressed skepticism regarding Israel’s commitment to the terms of the ceasefire, suggesting that Israel may not fully adhere to its obligations. When pressed about Hamas’s role in the suffering of Palestinians, particularly in light of the October 7 massacre that encouraged the current conflict, Hamdan deflected responsibility, characterizing the attack as “a reaction against the occupation.”
Furthermore, Hamdan vehemently dismissed reports attributing statements to Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, suggesting that Palestinian casualties were deemed “necessary sacrifices.” He dismissed these reports as “fake messages done by someone who is not Palestinian.”
In addressing allegations of abuse faced by hostages, Hamdan squarely placed the blame on Israeli actions in Gaza, stating, “This is because of what Israel has done in Gaza.”
“Because (no one can) handle what Israel is doing, bombing each day, killing civilians, killing women and children … they saw that (with) their own eyes,” he said.
He went further, disputing claims that released hostages showed signs of improvement after their release, stating, “They were better than before,” while providing no substantiated evidence to support this assertion.
