Al-Qassam fighters display ceased Israeli army weapons, with some wearing Israeli military fatigues and raising banners with images and messages rejecting US plan for Palestinian relocation
Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, delivered strong messages rejecting the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza during the handover of three Israeli captives on Saturday as part of the sixth batch of the prisoner exchange deal, which marked the first phase of the ceasefire agreement.
As part of the handover ceremony, Al-Qassam Brigades raised banners with images and messages rejecting the US plan, announced by US President Donald Trump, which seeks to seize Gaza and displace Palestinians to neighboring countries.
The banners contained the bold message, “We are the soldiers, O Jerusalem, bear witness,” in Arabic, English, and Hebrew, along with images of Palestinian, Egyptian, Jordanian, Lebanese, Algerian, and Saudi flags.
Another banner raised at the ceremony read, "No migration except to Jerusalem" in Arabic, English, and Hebrew.
A poignant image of Yahya Sinwar, former head of Hamas's political bureau, was also displayed, depicting his final moments before his death during a clash in Rafah.
Recently, Trump has proposed to take over Gaza, resettle Palestinians to neighboring countries, and turn the enclave into “the Riviera of the Middle East.” His proposal has met widespread condemnation from the Arab world and beyond.
During the handover ceremony, Al-Qassam fighters showcased Israeli weapons they had captured during Israeli military offensives on the ground in Gaza, including a notable M16 rifle.
Moreover, some of the Al-Qassam fighters were wearing Israeli military uniforms.
In another significant gesture, a sand clock was placed on the stage with the words "Time is running out" written beneath it.
Al-Qassam Brigades has made it clear that the release of prisoners will continue according to the agreement, provided Israel honors its commitments.
The negotiation process remains ongoing, as Israeli violations continue to obstruct the full implementation of the ceasefire agreement.
Earlier on Saturday, Al-Qassam Brigades and Islamic Jihad's military wing, Al-Quds Brigades, released three Israeli captives in eastern Khan Younis, southern Gaza.
In exchange, Israel released 369 Palestinians from Israeli prisons, including 36 serving life sentences and 333 others detained from the Gaza Strip after Oct. 7, 2023.
A ceasefire agreement took effect in Gaza on Jan. 19, halting Israel's genocidal war, which has killed more than 48,200 Palestinians, most of them women and children, and left the enclave in ruins.
The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.
