Al-Qassam spokesman affirms commitment to Gaza ceasefire agreement

GAZA CITY, Palestine

Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas' military wing, said on Sunday evening that the "Al-Aqsa Flood Operation" against Israel "has changed the dynamics," reaffirming its commitment to the ceasefire agreement that went into effect earlier in the day.

In a recorded video message shared on its Telegram channel, the brigades' spokesperson, Abu Obaida, declared: "We, along with the resistance factions, announce our commitment to the ceasefire agreement and our readiness to implement its terms and adhere to its conditions, including halting combat, complying with the timeline for the exchange process, and ensuring the safety of (Israeli) enemy captives until their handover in exchange for our people's prisoners at all stages of the deal."

However, it all depends "on the enemy's commitment," Abu Obaida said.

"We hold everyone accountable for any violations the occupation (Israeli forces) may commit against the agreement, which could jeopardize the process, our commitments, and our ability to execute the exchange,” he said.

He added that such violations “would have a direct impact on the safety and lives of the enemy's captives during the stages, details, and timings of the deal.”

The Palestinian resistance group Hamas handed over three Israeli captives to the Red Cross on Sunday under the first phase of a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement.

The three captives were handed over by Hamas’ armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, at Saraya Square in central Gaza City, according to an Anadolu reporter.

The Gaza ceasefire agreement took effect at 11.15 a.m. local time (0915GMT) on Sunday after a few hours’ delay due to Israeli accusations of Hamas delaying the release of a list of captives set to be released. It was originally scheduled to start at 8.30 a.m. local time.

Nearly 47,000 people have been killed, mostly women and children, and over 110,700 others injured in Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, according to local health authorities.

The Israeli war has left more than 11,000 people missing, with widespread destruction and a humanitarian crisis that has claimed the lives of many elderly people and children in one of the worst global humanitarian disasters ever.

In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants 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.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala