The Al-Qassam Brigades, Gaza’s organised resistance forces, have warned that Israeli prisoners remain within the Strip and that their fate is directly tied to the occupation’s decisions. The group stressed that any continuation or expansion of Israel’s genocidal campaign would prevent the return of prisoners, alive or dead, highlighting the high stakes for the occupiers in the unfolding conflict.

In a statement, the Brigades declared Gaza far from an easy target, citing thousands of fighters, ambush points, and explosive devices ready to counter any Israeli advance. The next phase, they warned, would become a prolonged war of attrition, targeting military vehicles, bulldozers, and other strategic assets, signalling an intense and coordinated effort to resist occupation forces.

Meanwhile, Gaza endures its 712th day under continuous assault. Airstrikes and artillery shelling have devastated residential areas, causing widespread civilian casualties, with women and children disproportionately affected. Communications have been repeatedly cut, leaving over 800,000 residents of Gaza City isolated, severely hampering emergency response and obstructing humanitarian aid. Human rights observers note that the systematic blackout not only obscures the situation from the world but also magnifies the suffering of civilians already living under siege and relentless bombardment.