An image grab from a handout video released by the Hamas Media Office shows a Hamas fighter helping a newly released Israeli captive Maya Regev into a Red Cross vehicle, in the Gaza Strip early on November 26, 2023. (AFP)

The Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas has issued a statement refuting Israeli claims about a video published by Israeli media that allegedly showed the capture of female soldiers during Operation Al-Aqsa Flood.

Hamas asserted that the video being circulated is edited and manipulated, casting doubt on the authenticity of its content. "The video clip being circulated in Israeli media is edited and manipulated, and the authenticity of its content cannot be verified," the statement declared.

The movement suggested that the timing of the video's release is part of what it describes as "Israel's" unsuccessful attempts to tarnish the image of the Palestinian Resistance.

"The circulation of this clip at this particular time is part of the occupation's failed attempts to tarnish the image of our brave people's Resistance by spreading fabricated stories that have been proven false by various media investigations and forums," the statement stressed.

Hamas explained that the footage shows female soldiers at a military site who were captured while on duty at the Gaza Division headquarters. The soldiers appeared in civilian clothes because they were on a break when the attack occurred early in the morning on Saturday, October 7, which was their day off.

The statement emphasized that the video attempts to mislead and manipulate public opinion regarding the ongoing Israeli aggression on Gaza.

Hamas further emphasized that the footage underwent deliberate editing and fragmentation, with selected images and clips chosen to support the occupation's claims and lies about the assault on the female soldiers.

'Israel' manipulated video evidence

Hamas pointed out that the clips show deliberate distortions and manipulations in the English translation, fabricating words in the subtitles that were not spoken by any of the fighters who appeared in the video, whether in Arabic or English.

"The distortion and manipulation in the translation prove the falsehood of the Zionist narrative from the outset," as per the statement.

Hamas also addressed the presence of minor blood stains or slight injuries on some of the female soldiers, which it said is expected in such operations due to possible jostling.

"The footage did not show any physical assault on any of them but rather depicted a conversation between the fighters and the female soldiers without any assault or violence," the statement added.

The group called on the public and media to scrutinize the video's authenticity and be wary of manipulated content to distort the image of the Palestinian Resistance.

Hamas asserted that "the female soldiers were treated according to the ethical standards of our Resistance, and there was no proven mistreatment despite their involvement in operations that harmed our people and caused the killing of hundreds of peaceful demonstrators on the Gaza border."

The movement concluded by comparing the treatment of captured soldiers in Gaza with the systematic torture faced by Palestinian detainees in Israeli jails.

"All images and footage from the recent exchange deal demonstrate the good treatment the captives received under the care of the Resistance in Gaza, in stark contrast to the suppression, abuse, and killing faced by our prisoners in Israeli jails," the statement stressed.

It is worth noting that Hamas' statement follows Israeli media reports showing uncorroborated footage of five female soldiers detained during Operation Al-Aqsa Flood on October 7. Hamas accused "Israel" of manipulating and misrepresenting the video to tarnish the image of the Palestinian Resistance.

Just yesterday, Hamas released a statement, affirming that the no signs of sexual assault on Oct. 7 report conducted by the Associated Press further debunking the fabricated rape allegations raised on October 7, was "a new slap in the face of the promoters of these false allegations and proves that they were used for the purpose of demonizing the Resistance."