The official spokesperson for Hamas's armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, announced on Friday that the Palestinian group repeatedly offered to release all the captives held in Gaza at once, as part of a comprehensive ceasefire deal, but Israel rejected the offer.
In his first video appearance in more than four months, Abu Obaida said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his cabinet "rejected what we proposed".
"War criminal Netanyahu and his ministers rejected our offer. It became clear they are not interested in the fate of their soldiers," he said, accusing the Israeli leadership of preparing the public for the possibility that all the captives will die.
His comments came as indirect talks resumed in Qatar without any progress.
If Israel disavows this round of talks, Abu Obaida said, Hamas "will not guarantee a return to the formula of partial [swap] deals or the proposal of the 10 prisoners".
