Abu Obeida, spokesperson for the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, has called on the Islamic resistance in Lebanon to intensify efforts to capture Israeli soldiers, framing this as a strategic pathway to securing the release of Palestinian and Arab prisoners. The call comes in response to the recent approval of a law permitting the execution of Palestinian detainees.
In a series of statements published on Telegram, Abu Obeida praised the operations carried out by resistance fighters in Lebanon, stating that they have inflicted significant losses on the Zionist occupation. He highlighted a recent qualitative operation as evidence of escalating pressure on Israeli forces. He urged resistance factions to escalate efforts aimed at capturing Israeli soldiers, describing this as a necessary step towards freeing prisoners held in Israeli jails, particularly in light of the newly approved execution law.
Resistance as the Primary Path to Prisoner Liberation
Abu Obeida stressed that the experience of Palestinian resistance has consistently demonstrated that armed resistance remains the most direct and effective route to securing the release of detainees. He pointed to the sacrifices made in Gaza, asserting that these efforts have reinforced this strategic reality. He called on fighters affiliated with Hezbollah to continue this trajectory, expressing certainty that the prisoners will not be abandoned and that relief will come through sustained struggle.
Escalation and Regional Responsibility
He further described recent Israeli actions as manifestations of escalating aggression, citing the approval of the execution law, the closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque, and broader assaults on Arab and Muslim populations. He stated that these developments place a collective responsibility on the Muslim world and free people globally to take meaningful action. This includes exerting pressure on the occupation to halt its policies, or at a minimum, confronting it politically and morally.
Details of the Execution Law
The Israeli Knesset has approved a draft law that imposes the death penalty exclusively on Palestinian prisoners. The legislation stipulates that executions would be carried out by hanging, conducted by prison service personnel whose identities remain confidential and who are granted legal immunity.
The law allows courts to issue death sentences without requiring a formal request from the prosecution. It also removes the requirement for unanimous judicial agreement, permitting such rulings to be passed by a simple majority.
The provisions extend to military courts operating in the occupied West Bank, where Palestinian cases are adjudicated. The Israeli Minister of Defence is also granted the authority to present opinions before the court panel.
Scope and Impact on Palestinian Prisoners
The law applies to individuals accused of intentionally killing Israelis. According to the Palestinian Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs, 117 prisoners currently held in Israeli prisons fall under this classification.
More broadly, over 9,500 Palestinians remain imprisoned in Israeli detention facilities, including approximately 350 children and 73 women. Palestinian and Israeli human rights organisations report that detainees are subjected to systematic abuse, including torture, starvation, and medical neglect. These conditions have led to the deaths of dozens of prisoners in custody.
