Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for Saraya al-Quds, the armed wing of Palestinian Islamic Jihad, disclosed that an Israeli captive attempted suicide three days ago due to his deteriorating mental state.
The captive’s anguish was reportedly triggered by new conditions imposed by the Netanyahu government, which have hindered progress in negotiations for his release.
According to Abu Hamza, Israeli captive who attempted suicide was supposed to be released as part of the first phase of the prisoner swap deal with the Israeli enemy.
⚡️The military spokesman for Al-Quds Brigades, Abu Hamza:
Three days ago, one of our medical teams dealt with a suicide attempt by a prisoner held by one of the security units of Saraya Al-Quds.
The medical team successfully saved the prisoner’s life after his attempt, caused… pic.twitter.com/hslcRXZWEF
— Warfare Analysis (@warfareanalysis) January 2, 2025
However, the introduction of new issues and conditions by the Israeli side, related to withdrawal, ceasefire, captives, and the return of displaced persons, has delayed reaching a previously achievable agreement.
In response to this development, Saraya al-Quds has tightened security measures to ensure the safety of the Israeli captives.
The news of the suicide attempt comes amidst growing discontent among the families of Israeli captives held in Gaza, who have been staging protests across the occupied territories, criticizing their government’s handling of the prisoner swap talks.
The incident has further underscored the urgency and sensitivity of the issue, as the mental well-being of the captives hangs in the balance.
Concurrently, the Israeli military has acknowledged a significant rise in suicide cases among its own ranks, particularly among mobilized reserve troops, as the ongoing war takes a heavy toll on soldiers’ mental health. The army’s data reveals that 38 soldiers committed suicide in 2023 and 2024, with a staggering 28 of these cases occurring after October 7, 2023, coinciding with the escalation of the conflict. The surge in suicides is attributed to the unprecedented mobilization of approximately 300,000 reservists during the war.
Source: Agencies (edited and translated by Al-Manar English Website)
