Hamas informed international mediators on Tuesday that it is ready to make a quick prisoner swap with Israel on a humanitarian basis, whereby the terrorist group would release Israeli Bedouin Hisham al-Sayed in exchange for sick Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jail, Lebanese network Al-Mayadeen reported on Tuesday.
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Al-Sayed, who wandered across the frontier into Gaza in 2014, is believed to be held captive by the terrorist organization.
The report came a day after Hamas published a video of a bearded al-Sayed receiving oxygen support while lying on a bed. The camera also showed his Israeli ID and a television screen showing the news from an economic conference in Qatar that took place between June 21-23. The video could not be authenticated as having been filmed recently.
Israeli officials addressed al-Sayed's mental state in a scathing attack on the terrorist group, with several politicians threatening Hamas and asking the international community to condemn the video release.
The decision to publish the video could be part of Hamas' psychological warfare in the hopes that this would make Israel show flexibility in talks toward a new prisoner exchange deal. Apart from al-Sayed, Israel is seeking the return of the remains of IDF soldiers Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul, who were killed in the 2014 Gaza war, as well as Avera Mengistu, an Israeli Jew who crossed into Gaza voluntarily.
"Hamas is holding two mentally ill civilians as prisoners, who are sick and suffering, in contravention of all international laws and conventions," the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement.
"The release of the video is a desperate, vile act. The State of Israel views Hamas as responsible for the health of the captive civilians. Additionally, Hamas is holding the bodies of two soldiers, Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul, also in contravention of international law. Hisham al-Sayed is not a soldier, but an Israeli citizen who is mentally ill and crossed the Gaza border several times beforehand. Hamas is delaying any chance for a deal. Hamas' actions are proof that this is a cynical and criminal terrorist organization.
"The State of Israel will continue its efforts, with Egyptian mediation, to return the hostages and the missing, with responsibility and determination," the statement said.
Prime Minister designate Yair Lapid said, "Hamas' actions are proof it is a repugnant terrorist organization holding the people of Gaza as hostages who have to pay the price for its conduct."
He added: "I call on the international community, including the World Health Organization, the International Red Cross, and organizations that care for the mentally ill, to condemn Hamas for its inhumane behavior and demand that it conduct itself according to international law and release the civilians and bodies it is holding. The State of Israel will continue making every effort to return the IDF soldiers and Israeli citizens in Hamas captivity."
Defense Minister Benny Gantz, meanwhile, questioned the authenticity of the video and said its "purpose was extortionary."
A senior government official said Hamas' actions stemmed from its "frustration with Israeli policy that is making the organization less relevant," according to a Channel 12 News report.
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