Hamas: Netanyahu wants to sacrifice captives for personal interest

The Palestinian group Hamas has issued a strong condemnation of 'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent remarks on Gaza, accusing him of plotting further atrocities and derailing ongoing negotiations aimed at securing a ceasefire and prisoner exchange.

The statement, released Thursday, came in response to Netanyahu’s interview with Fox News, during which he stated that 'Israel' intends to occupy the Gaza Strip temporarily but not retain long-term control, and instead hand it over to Arab forces that do not pose a threat to 'Israel'.

Read more: "We don't want to keep it:" Netanyahu contradicts reports of Gaza occupation plans

Hamas said the 'Israeli' leader’s plan reflects “a continuation of the path of genocide and displacement,” and warned of more crimes against the Palestinian population in the besieged coastal enclave.

Hamas criticized what it called a clear reversal of the negotiation process, stating, “Netanyahu's statements represent a blatant reversal of the negotiation process and clearly expose the real motives behind his withdrawal from the last round, despite our nearing a final agreement.”

The group further accused Netanyahu of using the war and the captives held in Gaza for personal political gains, claiming that his intention to expand military operations is an attempt “to get rid of the captives and sacrifice them in pursuit of his personal interests and extremist ideological agenda.”

Reaffirming its defiance, Hamas declared that Gaza “will remain unconquerable” and would not submit to foreign control or occupation. “Expanding the aggression against our Palestinian people will not be a walk in the park — it will come at a high and painful cost to the occupation and its Nazi army,” the statement warned.

The group also called on Arab and Islamic nations, as well as the broader international community, to condemn Netanyahu’s statements and intervene to halt 'Israel’s' military campaign in Gaza.

“We urge urgent action to stop the aggression, end the occupation, support our people’s right to self-determination, and hold the enemy’s leaders accountable for their crimes.”