Hamas displayed defiant signs in Deir al-Balah during the prisoner exchange [Getty]
Hamas sent a defiant message to Israel during its release of three Israeli captives it has held since October 2023.
Fighters from the group’s military wing, known as the Izzedin Al-Qassam Brigades deployed in the city of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip in force in preparation for the handover.
On the platform where the handover took place a large sign was displayed saying “We’re the flood… the war’s next day” in Arabic, Hebrew, and English. The writing was accompanied by an image of a raised fist and the Palestinian flag.
The first part of the slogan apparently referred to Hamas’s October 7 2023 surprise attack on Israel, which it called “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood” while the second was an apparent reference to “day after” discussions regarding Gaza’s future during Israel’s 15 month war on the territory.
Another sign was displayed with an image of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accompanied by the words “Total Victory”, taunting the premier, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes in Gaza, for his claims that Israel would decisively win the war.
Netanyahu vowed during the war on Gaza that he would destroy Hamas and prevent it from governing the Gaza Strip after the conflict was over.
Saturday’s prisoner exchange, the fifth since the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas was reached last month, was the first to take place in Deir al-Balah.
Three Israeli captives held by Hamas were released, in exchange for 183 Palestinians held by Israel.
During the Gaza War, Israel bombed and attacked Deir al-Balah multiple times but never entered it.
As the exchange was taking place, Israeli drones flew over the city in a violation of the terms of the ceasefire.
Israel has reacted angrily to previous releases of captives held by Hamas, in which fighters from the group and residents of Gaza have gathered to look on.
Israel’s war on the Gaza Strip has utterly devastated the territory and killed 61,707 people according to updated figures from the Gaza health ministry.
