Why did Hamas announce the rogue killing of one of the captives in Gaza?

Monday night's announcement by Hamas military spokesperson Abu Obeida on the killing of an Israeli prisoner and the wounding of two others has raised questions about the purpose of the move, the message it sends, and whether it could impact talks on ending the war via a prisoner exchange deal.

In a statement posted on Telegram, the Hamas spokesperson said that in two separate incidents, two fighters "assigned with guarding enemy prisoners" had shot at the prisoners, in one case "killing a Zionist prisoner instantly, in addition to seriously wounding two female prisoners".

In the case of the injured captives, he added that "attempts are underway to save their lives".

Abu Obeida held the Israeli government fully responsible for the incident due to its repeated massacres which were affecting the lives of the Israeli captives, he said.

"A committee has been formed to find out the details which will be announced later," he added.

The decision by the Qassam Brigades to publicise the incident could be regarded as part of its "psychological war" aimed at increasing pressure on the families of the remaining Israeli captives.

However, official Israeli engagement with the incident has been muted considering the significance and urgency of the message.

This indicates that what now governs the hostage issue, and has the power to raise its prominence domestically, is not whether the hostages live or die, but what the Israeli government – accused by all of neglecting the issue – wants.

It is the first time the Qassam Brigades or any resistance faction holding Israeli captives in Gaza have announced their killing by Hamas guards.

The incident is also highly unusual in light of the factions' constant attempt to preserve the hostages' lives so that they can be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners.

It appears the daily massacres committed against the Palestinians led to the two incidents, and a more detailed statement is expected from the Qassam Brigades.

Writer and political analyst Ibrahim Al-Madhoun told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, The New Arab's Arabic-language sister edition, that Qassam Brigades had decided to release news of the incident to confront the public with its responsibilities, as there have been cases of intense anger due to Israel's crimes, killings, and the targeting of innocent people, mosques, schools, and shelters, which has led to chaotic situations which have led to the killing of prisoners.

Al-Madhoun points out that Hamas had alerted the public of these incidents as it doesn't want them to reoccur and was uninvolved in the killings.

He added that Hamas itself rejected such actions, noting that Abu Obeideh's message was clear: "The occupation [Israel], with its crimes, is putting everyone in a dark place, and the prisoners whom the occupation claims it wants to liberate are being harmed by this aggressive behaviour."

Israel's response to the announcement has been noticeably muted, hinting at the Israeli Military Censor intervening to prevent the circulation of the news.

Israeli affairs expert  Salah al-Awawdeh said that responses in mainstream Israeli media regarding the announcement had been few.

However, the army spokesman's response to the announcement was circulated, in which he stated that the credibility of the statement was being verified.

Awawdeh said the lack of engagement showed that Israeli media "doesn't focus on news like this, as it could have an impact on the domestic front and the protests."

"Naturally, news like this will increase tensions and the protests of the captives' families... against the government and will increase pressure on the government to strike a deal," he explained, adding that despite the rising anxiety of the families, Israel would interpret this issue as "psychological terrorism against the Israeli public".

He says the Israeli government has also handled past news on the condition of the Israeli hostages - such as those killed by Israeli bombardment, and others suffering due to a lack of medicines and other essentials – with extreme caution, in order to limit the influence it could have on the families of the captives, which could in turn pile pressure on the government.

Awawdeh thinks "even if all the Israeli captives in Gaza were to be killed" it was unlikely the matter would bring about a deal or even hasten one, "because the issue [of a deal] is pivotal for Netanyahu, who sees the war as threatening Israel's future and his future, and he is willing to continue negotiating but not to strike a deal that ends the war".

This is an edited translation from our Arabic edition. To read the original article click here.