Top Fatah official claims Israeli captives taken by Hamas “are not hostages”
Interview in English with Fatah Central Committee Secretary Jibril Rajoub on South African SABC News.
Fatah Central Committee Secretary Jibril Rajoub: ”The Palestinian prisoners should be released [in exchange] for the Israeli prisoners who are in the custody of Hamas (i.e., Israeli hostages captured on Oct. 7). [We] should have a prisoner of war exchange…”
South African SABC News interviewer: “Israel is demanding an immediate release of those who have been taken hostage by Hamas.”
Jibril Rajoub: “Those are not hostages. Most of those are Israeli soldiers and they were arrested by the Palestinian fighters. The civilians who were at the beginning already have been released.”
[Fatah Central Committee Secretary Jibril Rajoub, Facebook page,
Feb. 22, 2024]
Most of the Israeli hostages are civilians, including infants and the elderly, who were violently taken captive from their homes or from the NOVA music festival.
Only some of the civilians were released in an exchange deal in late November 2023, many more remained in captivity in the Gaza Strip.
Jibril Rajoub also serves as Head of the PLO Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, Chairman of the Palestinian Football Association, Chairman of the Palestine Olympic Committee, and Chairman of the Palestinian Scout Association (PSA).