Hamas calls on members to be ready to fight when ceasefire ends

Hamas has called on its members in the Gaza Strip to be ready to fight Israel if the current ceasefire is not extended.

"The al-Qassam Brigades urges its members to maintain combat readiness in the final hours of the ceasefire," Hamas said in a statement today. Members "should maintain this stance until an official announcement is made about the extension of the ceasefire."

The ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel expires at 7am (12pm Hanoi time ) on November 30. A well-informed source said on November 29 that Hamas is ready to extend the ceasefire for another four days and release more Israeli hostages in exchange for the freedom of Palestinian prisoners.

Hamas announced today that Israel has rejected a proposal to receive seven hostages and the bodies of three others, believed to have been killed in Tel Aviv's bombardment of Gaza, in order to extend the agreement. Israel has not commented on the information. The Israeli military said on November 29 that it was investigating the information that three hostages, including a woman and two children, were killed.

Hamas gunmen in Gaza City, Gaza Strip in August 2015. Photo: reuters — Hamas gunmen in Gaza City, Gaza Strip in August 2015. Photo: *Reuters*

Israel and Hamas have agreed to a four-day ceasefire since November 24. Hamas agreed to release about 50 hostages, mostly children and women. In return, Israel will release 150 Palestinian prisoners held in its jails.

The deal was later extended for two days and the two sides continued to exchange people. Israeli officials said on November 27 that Israel was ready to extend the deal by one day for every 10 Israeli hostages released by Hamas.

In a November 29 exchange, Hamas released 70 Israeli hostages in exchange for the freedom of 210 Palestinian prisoners. About 30 foreign nationals, mostly Thais, were also freed as part of a diplomatic effort outside the ceasefire.

The conflict erupted on October 7, when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israeli territory, killing about 1,200 people and taking 240 civilians hostage. Israel responded with airstrikes and a ground offensive in the Gaza Strip. The fighting between the two sides has left about 16,000 people dead and more than 41,000 injured as of November 23.

Nhu Tam (According to Reuters, Times of Israel )

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