Hamas vows trapped fighters in Rafah won’t surrender to Israel

The military wing of Hamas announces that “the occupation bears full responsibility for the clash with our fighters in Rafah,” and vows that they will not surrender.

The statement comes against the backdrop of reports that completion of the handover of the hostages’ bodies, including the body of IDF officer Hadar Goldin, is linked to the presence of several hundred Hamas fighters in Rafah in an area under Israeli control, who are unable to withdraw into territory not under IDF control.

Hamas adds in the statement that “in the lexicon of the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades there is no place for the principle of surrender or handing themselves over to the enemy. The mediators must find a solution that will ensure the continuation of the ceasefire.”

Hamas also says in the statement that the recovery of the remaining hostages’ bodies requires additional teams and technical equipment.