Hamas claims Israel turned down offer to release two citizens without conditions

The military spokesman for Hamas' Al-Qassam Brigades, Abu Ubaida, said on Saturday that the group offered to release two people held captive in Gaza but Israel refused to take them.

In a brief communique published on Telegram, Abu Ubaida said they informed Qatar of the offer made for "compelling humanitarian reasons".

Abu Ubaida also named the two people in question and listed their ID numbers. There was no further information on their condition.

There was no immediate comment from Israel or Qatar. Middle East Eye could not independently verify the claim.