On October 4, the head of Hamas' department of dead, wounded and prisoners, Ruhi Mushtaha, considered a senior figure in the Gaza Strip, was quoted on one of the websites affiliated with the terrorist organization as saying: "Hamas is closely monitoring all actions against the prisoners and the aggression against them (...) Hamas informed all the mediators that it would not remain silent for long in the face of the abuse of the prisoners and that behavior towards them would lead to an explosion outside the prisons. Hamas adheres to the release of all prisoners."
Security prisoners at Ofer Prison, photo: Moshe Shai
A senior Hamas figure made the remarks at a meeting with released prisoners. In other words, Hamas in Gaza has already established its "justifications" for the terrorist attack and hinted that it might attack. All this publicly.
Mushtaha, 64, has long been considered a close associate of Hamas head in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar.
Bereaved families protest against deal including release of terrorists // Archive | Photo: Im Tirtzu Movement
He also participated in the establishment of Hamas' internal security apparatus, Majd, and dealt with the elimination of collaborators with Israel. He was arrested after attempting to throw an IED, but it exploded in his hand. As a result, several of his fingers were amputated. He later served a long prison sentence for terrorist activity until his release in the Gilad Shalit deal.
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