The Palestinian resistance continues to send strong messages to “Israel” through carefully staged captive handovers, each designed to reinforce its position. The Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, demonstrated a high level of military organization and presence during the release of the fourth batch of captives on Saturday (February 1), staging a symbolic display while transferring three Israeli prisoners, including one with American citizenship, to the Red Cross in Gaza.
The event, held at the Gaza City port and Khan Yunis, featured banners with the phrase “Zionism will not win” alongside symbols of various Israeli military and intelligence units, including Unit 8200, Unit 9900, the Eagle Unit (414), the Fire Foxes Division (143), and the Shin Bet (Israeli Security Agency). The display also included a map referencing the Israeli settlement of Ra’im, with an armed Al-Qassam member standing beside it. Notably, an Israeli military vehicle captured during Operation “Al-Aqsa Flood” was prominently displayed.
Video: Handover of Fourth Captive Batch
The Israeli captives were handed over as part of the fourth batch of first phase of the “Al-Aqsa Flood” prisoner exchange
Message Behind Seized Israeli Vehicle
This batch included Yarden Bibas and Ofir Calderon, transported inside the seized Israeli military vehicle to the handover site in Khan Yunis, located in southern Gaza. Meanwhile, American captive Keith Segal was transferred at the Gaza port.
كتائب القسام تستخدم مركبة إسرائيلية غنمها المجاهدون من مستوطنات الاحتلال بالسابع من أكتوبر في عملية تسليم أسيرين إسرائيليين اليوم في خانيونس ضمن المرحلة الأولى من صفقة #طوفان_الأقصى pic.twitter.com/H8LZVyxf3r
— رضوان الأخرس (@rdooan) February 1, 2025
The display of the Israeli vehicle was meant to highlight that “Israel” has not only failed to recover its captives but also failed to reclaim its lost military assets from the confrontation on October 7, 2023. However, the most striking message was the presence of Haitham Al-Hawajri, commander of the Al-Shati Brigade, whom the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) had previously claimed to have killed in their ongoing military campaign in Gaza.
Israeli Channel 13 confirmed that Hamas embeds a strategic message in every prisoner release, emphasizing that the chosen delivery locations reflect its continued control over these areas despite sustained Israeli attacks.
Segal’s handover at the Gaza port was carried out amid a dramatic military display by Qassam fighters, with Al-Hawajri visibly present. The platform also featured images of Al-Qassam’s fallen military council members, including its Chief of Staff, Mohammed Deif, underscoring their legacy in the resistance.
Fighters from Al-Qassam’s infantry, sniper, and armor units secured the area for hours in preparation for the arrival of the Shadow Unit. Dressed in distinctive uniforms and arriving in specialized vehicles, the unit accompanied Segal, whom they had held for 15 months.
استعراض كتائب القسام قدراتها وقواتها ورجالها في شوارع غزة، والحفاوة البالغة التي استقبل بها الشعب كتائب القسام ليؤكد أن أهل قطاع غزة كلهم مع المقاومة، ومع الشهامة، ومع البطولة.
باستثناء حفنة صغيرة، نسأل الله أن يتوبوا عن التنسيق والتعاون الأمني مع المخابرات الإسرائيلية! pic.twitter.com/f5zGnFGiwA— د. فايز أبو شمالة (@FayezShamm18239) February 1, 2025
As in previous exchanges, Al-Qassam fighters carried weapons confiscated from the IOF during Operation “Al-Aqsa Flood.” However, this time, more advanced weaponry was prominently displayed during Segal’s release.
Hamas: “We’re still here”
The staged handover was a stark contradiction to Israeli claims that Hamas’ military capabilities had been decimated. The orchestrated scene was a clear declaration: “We’re still here.”
Another key element of the event was the condition of the captives. Palestinian sources noted that their healthy appearance reflected the ethical treatment enforced by the resistance, which prohibits harming or torturing prisoners, even high-ranking officers.
The captives’ well-being underscored Hamas’ discipline despite the loss of many of its leaders. This stood in contrast to “Israel’s” treatment of Palestinian prisoners, who are frequently subjected to torture and, in some cases, killed, as seen in the case of martyr Walid Daqqa.
Palestinian researchers drew comparisons between the conduct of the resistance—whom former Israeli Minister of War Yoav Galant labeled as “human animals”—and the actions of Israeli forces. They argued that this contrast should prompt the international community to reassess its stance on how each side treats its captives.
Earlier on Thursday (January 30), the Al-Qassam Brigades handed over captive soldier Agam Berger from Jabalia camp in northern Gaza, while the Al-Quds Brigades simultaneously released captives Arbel Yehuda and Gadi Moses from Khan Yunis. In return, Israeli authorities freed 110 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails.
Last Saturday (January 24), the Qassam Brigades transferred four female Israeli soldiers to the Red Cross at Palestine Square in Gaza City. In the exchange, the Israeli occupation authorities released 200 Palestinian prisoners serving life or long-term sentences to the West Bank, Jerusalem, Gaza, and abroad, as part of the second phase of the ceasefire-mediated exchange deal.
Source: Al-Manar Website
