Have enough Israeli captives to make Israel free all Palestinian prisoners: Hamas deputy chief

Hamas has claimed that it has managed to kill and capture many Israeli soldiers and that it has enough captives to make Israel free all Palestinian prisoners in its jails.

The deputy chief of Hamas, Saleh al-Arouri told Al Jazeera, “We managed to kill and capture many Israeli soldiers, The fighting is still on.”

“As to our prisoners, I say, your freedom is looming large. what we have in hand will see you set free,” al-Arouri said

He further said that the longer fighting continues, the higher the number of prisoners will become.”

Israel Defence Forces spokesperson, Brigadier Gen. Daniel Hagari said there are hostages and prisoners of war Hamas took.

“There are also deaths among Israel Defence Forces (IDF) soldiers. we don’t have an exact number yet – we are at war,” he added.

At least 198 people have been killed and at least 1,610 wounded in the territory in Israel’s retaliation after a wide-ranging Hamas assault into Israel, the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza said on Saturday.

The toll came as Israel has carried out a number of airstrikes in Gaza and has clashed with gunmen at the border fence around the coastal territory.

Israel’s national rescue service says at least 40 people have been killed in a wide-ranging Hamas assault into Israel. The latest toll came from the Magen David Adom rescue service as fighting was still underway on Saturday.