Hamas military commander Yahya Sinwar declared on Monday that Hamas is currently engaged in an intense, violent, and unprecedented battle in Gaza.
Sinwar, who is currently in hiding, affirmed that Hamas will prevail over the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and will not yield to Israel's ceasefire conditions. This marks Sinwar's first public message since the October 7 attack.
Claiming that the Al-Qassam Brigades have eliminated over 5,000 Israeli soldiers and officers, Sinwar's statement contrasts with the IDF's assertion of 153 casualties in its Gaza offensive.
Considered the mastermind behind the October 7 attacks, Sinwar faces a threat from Israel Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who vowed to eliminate him soon.
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh engaged in negotiations in Cairo for a potential ceasefire and hostage release. The IDF has made significant progress in capturing north Gaza and is confronting resistance in the Khan Younis area, where key Hamas leaders, including Sinwar and Mohammed Deif, are reportedly hiding.
During a brief truce from November 24 to December 1, Hamas released 105 hostages, while 129 others remain in captivity. Israeli authorities believe that at least 20 of the remaining hostages have perished.
Amidst the conflict, thousands of Palestinians are held in Israeli jails without trial or access to legal counsel. The Palestinian Prisoners Club reported the arrest of more than 4,655 people in the occupied West Bank since October 7.
Following Hamas' surprise attack on October 7, Israel launched a ground offensive in Gaza on October 27, resulting in the death of 1,200 Israelis and the abduction of over 200. Since the conflict's onset, over 20,258 Palestinians, mostly children and women, have lost their lives, with 53,688 sustaining injuries.
(With Agency Inputs)
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