Hamas blames Israel for the death of captives in Gaza

Khalil Al-Hayya, a senior Hamas official, blamed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the deaths of six captives held in Gaza stating they could have been brought back alive. Hayya spoke to Al Jazeera:

• Hayya said that Netanyahu prioritised control over the Gaza-Egyptian border over the captives, sacrificing their case as it didn't concern him
• Hamas had reassured the family of prisoner Hirsch, an American citizen, with Qatari intervention. However, they lost contact with Hirsch and his guards after presenting a video to his family. Hirsch was later found dead
• In May, Hamas agreed to a proposal by mediators to support an agreement, but Israel responded by storming Rafah and its crossing
• Hamas accepted a document presented by President Biden and adopted by the Security Council but only raised enquiries. Netanyahu responded by evading and imposing new conditions
• Netanyahu insisted on maintaining control over the Gaza-Egyptian border and Netzarim corridors and refused to release elderly prisoners serving life sentences
• Hayya emphasised that the negotiations have now centred around Netanyahu's new demands, which Hamas refuses to negotiate
• He reiterated that without Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza-Egyptian border and Netzarim corridors and the Rafah crossing, no agreement would be reached
• Hayya accused the Israeli government of not recognising the Palestinian people's existence, citing ongoing violence and destruction in the West Bank
• He warned that the situation in the West Bank could escalate, with Netanyahu's government aiming to ignite conflict across the region
• The escalation, according to Hayya, is part of Israel's plan concerning Al-Aqsa Mosque and to make Palestinians lose hope of achieving their rights
• Hayya affirmed that Palestinian factions in Gaza and the West Bank are working together to counter Israel's objectives, and the Palestinian people will not surrender