From the Liveblog of
Sunday, October 8, 2023
Islamic Jihad leader claims terror group is holding over 30 Israeli hostages
Gianluca Pacchiani is the Arab affairs reporter for The Times of Israel
Palestinian Islamic Jihad leader Ziyad Nakhaleh releases a statement claiming that the group is holding more than 30 of the Israeli hostages currently in Gaza.
“The soldiers and settlers that we are holding as prisoners of war in Gaza are in the dozens and more. In fact, I can say that they far exceed this number. Islamic Jihad has more than 30 enemy prisoners so far,” he says.
The terror chief hails the ongoing conflict with Gaza as “days of pride and glory,” and praises the “image of unity between resistance forces” that has emerged from yesterday’s assault on Israel, adding that their jihad does not distinguish between Gaza, Jerusalem, and Jenin.
He stresses the humiliation suffered by Israel, claiming that from the first hours of the onslaught, Israel “called for help from its ally, America.”
“The battles that took place in the settlements [Israeli towns], the raids on the army bases, the capture of soldiers, and their leaving weapons behind are clear evidence that the [Israeli] army is weaker than many in the world believe,” Nakhaleh continues.
“The enemy government must surrender to this truth. The easiest way to avoid losing more prisoners is to acknowledge defeat,” Nakhaleh says. He then vows that the Islamic Jihad will continue to fight, and thanks to its will and sacrifices it will “change the equation.”
Many more Israelis are believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza, upward of 100.
