Hamas said on Thursday that it views Israel's intentions to extend its sovereignty over parts of the West Bank as a declaration of war.
"This wretched decision and plan, we'll not talk at length, but say it shortly and clearly – the resistance considers the decision as a declaration of war on the Palestinian people. The resistance is ready to protect its people and its holy places," said Abu Ubaida, the spokesman of the Izz el-Deen al-Qassam Brigade, the armed wing of the Hamas movement.
The spokesman also mentioned the possibility of holding a prisoner exchange deal with Israel, saying it was a priority for the terrorist group.
"We remind the Zionist enemy that there will be no deal without the release of senior prisoners and prisoners with blood on their hands," Abu Ubaida said.