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SvennoJ on 20 January 2025
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Hamas celebrates release of prisoners

Hamas has issued a new statement on the release of the Palestinian prisoners as part of the Gaza ceasefire deal.

Here are some of its key points:

  • We congratulate our people, our nation, and the free people of the world on the liberation of the first batch of our female and male prisoners from the occupation’s prisons.
  • Scenes of joy among our people as they raise the victory sign while receiving the prisoners confirm once again the popular support for the resistance and highlight its firm position in their conscience.
  • The huge crowds of our people who came out to receive the liberated prisoners, despite the repressive measures of the occupation, are a declaration of defiance against the occupation, and an expression of their thirst for freedom and the liberation of the land and holy sites.
  • The pictures of the three female prisoners being handed over to the enemy showed them in full physical and psychological health, while our male and female prisoners showed signs of neglect and exhaustion, which embodies the great difference between the values and morals of the resistance and the barbarism and fascism of the occupation.
  • We stand in these historic moments in reverence and appreciation for the sacrifices of our great people in Gaza and our victorious resistance.


Hamas not being eliminated ‘very embarrassing for Netanyahu’

Mohamad Elmasry, a media studies professor at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, says Israeli media are now focusing on Netanyahu’s handling of the war on Gaza.

“They’re calling this a spectacular failure,” he told Al Jazeera. “Back in April, Netanyahu said, ‘We are one step away from eliminating Hamas.’ Then in June he doubled down on that and said, ‘We’re almost there. We almost eliminated Hamas.’

“And now he has to watch, on all the TV screens, Hamas fighters dressed in their fatigues escorting Israeli captives to their vehicles.

“He’s watching as Hamas will continue to govern Gaza and oversee the security situation, the humanitarian aid situation, and all elements of this ceasefire. Hamas has not been eliminated, and this is very embarrassing for Netanyahu.”


Smotrich says Israel should ‘occupy entire’ Gaza Strip, blasts army chief

Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has attacked the Israeli army chief of staff and said Israel should “occupy the entire” Gaza Strip.

Speaking to Israeli Army Radio, the leader of the Religious Zionist Party argued that Herzi Halevi was not the right person to lead the military.

Smotrich said what was needed was someone who understands that occupying Gaza was his mission, someone “who stands behind it and is ready to enforce it”.

He added that Israel should “establish military rule” in Gaza, adding that there is no “third force” that could control the territory.

Unlike hardline National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir who quit Netanyahu’s coalition government over the Gaza ceasefire deal, Smotrich opted to stay but said he would quit if the war ends without Hamas completely destroyed.