Hamas Spokesperson Appears To Question Upcoming Pause In Fighting

Reuters carrying comments from Abu Obeida, spokesperson of the Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, stating: “We call for escalation of confrontation with Israel on all resistance fronts.”

• The comments come as Israel and Hamas prepare to observe a four-day pause in hostilities to facilitate the exchange of Israeli hostages held in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners detained in Israel.
• As it stands, the pause is expected to begin at 07:00 local time, with hostage and prisoner exchanges to follow. That pause could be extended if Hamas release additional hostages.
• Obeida's comments, which came during an extended statement which is yet to be released in full, appear unlikely to impact the pause. According to Al Jazeera, Obaida, in his remarks, detailed recent Hamas battlefield successes and the remarks picked up by Reuters were caveated with a reference to continued Israeli attacks on Gaza.
• Al Jazeera: "He said fighters are ready to confront 'the enemy' for as long as the assault on Gaza continues, and called on the 'resistance' to escalate confrontations with Israeli forces across the occupied West Bank."