The group's military wing, Izzadin Kassam Brigades, released a televised statement through official Hamas media in Gaza.
The Islamist group Hamas publicly acknowledged on Friday that it is holding the remains of two Israeli soldiers and also has in its custody two Israeli nationals who went missing in the Gaza Strip.
The group's military wing, Izzadin Kassam Brigades, released a televised statement through official Hamas media in Gaza on Friday saying Israel will have to make concessions if it wants the Islamist organization to provide information about the conditions of the "four prisoners of war."
The Hamas spokesperson assailed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and denied that the organization was considering the release of the four Israelis.
"Netanyahu is lying to his people with his statements and he is pulling the wool over the eyes of the parents of the soldiers in our custody," said Abu Abeida, the Izzadin Kassam spokesperson. "There are no negotiations [with Israel] over prisoners."
Lt. Hadar Goldin and St.-Sgt. Oron Shaul were killed during Operation Protective Edge in 2014. Their remains remain in Hamas hands in Gaza.
Another Israeli, Avraham Mengistu, who has been described in press reports as "emotionally unstable," wandered into Gaza in 2014 and has not been seen since.
Mengistu was 29 when he disappeared and was suffering from severe depression. Israel’s Defense Ministry believes that Mengistu was held by Hamas after illegally crossing the border, but the Islamist movement governing Gaza has provided no information about his whereabouts or condition.
The other missing Israeli national believed to be alive in Gaza is a Beduin from the Negev whose identity has yet to be revealed.
Read more:
http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/We-have-four-Israeli-prisoners-of-war-in-our-custody-Hamas-says-449985
