Spokesperson for the Hamas Al-Qassam Brigades, Abu Ubaida, on Tuesday (23/4), called for increased escalation on all fronts in a televised speech marking 200 days since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip on October 7. Israel says it is trying to eradicate Hamas, which controls the enclave.
Most recently, Israel’s war killed more than 34,000 Palestinians. The war began when militant groups attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 253 hostages, according to an Israeli tally.
In a video broadcast by Al-Jazeera TV, Abu Ubaida praised Iran’s attack on Israel on April 13. He said that direct attacks with drones and explosive missiles set new rules, created important equations, and confused both the enemy and the people behind them.
He also called for increased escalation in the West Bank and Jordan, calling it one of the most important Arab fronts. Jordan, located between Iran and Israel, intercepted and shot down dozens of Iranian drones that entered its airspace and were heading towards Israel, two regional security sources said on April 13.
“We call on the Jordanian people to step up their actions and raise their voices,” said Abu Ubaida. He said Hamas was sticking to its demands in the ongoing ceasefire negotiations, that Israel end its military offensive, withdraw troops from Gaza, allow refugees to return to northern Gaza, and lift the blockade.
“The occupying government experienced delays in reaching a hostage exchange agreement and attempted to obstruct the mediators’ efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement,” Abu Ubaida said.
Qatar and Egypt have tried to broker a ceasefire. However, a Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday that all interested parties must show seriousness for the effort to be successful. (Arabnews/Z-2)
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