Hamas deputy chief, Saleh al-Arouri, has said that his movement has passed on a very "clear and harsh" message to the Israeli occupation through mediators warning that targeting Palestinian detainees might lead the situation to explode. 

"We may find ourselves in the midst of an open conflict at all levels if the Israeli occupation continues to pressure and suppress Palestinian detainees," al-Arouri added in an interview with Al-Aqsa TV channel. 

He noted that tension is still building up in Israeli occupation prisons, calling on the Palestinian people to get engaged in the popular activities in solidarity with Palestinian detainees.  

Hamas is in contact with regional, international, popular, and national parties to discuss Palestinian detainees, al-Arouri pointed out. 

'Palestinian detainees and Al-Aqsa are red lines'
Al-Arouri stressed that the issue of Palestinian detainees and the Al-Aqsa Mosque are "red lines." 

"The Palestinian detainees' issue is one of the most sensitive and sacred issues for the Palestinian people," al-Arouri continued. "It is a top priority." 

After six Palestinian detainees managed to free themselves from "Gilboa" prison, the Israeli occupation attempted to enforce some punitive measures by imposing large-scale punishments on Palestinian detainees, al-Arouri explained. 

Hamas' relationship with Palestinian factions 
As for its ties with the Palestinian factions, Hamas is not boycotting any Palestinian party, al-Arouri confirmed, explaining that his movement has close relations with all Palestinian factions. 

He continued: "Our enemy is the Israeli occupation and our sacred mission is to unify our Palestinian people with all of their segments to repel the occupation." 

Al-Arouri called on Fatah to agree on a central goal: fight off the Israeli occupation with all means of resistance.  

Palestinian reconciliation 
As for Palestinian reconciliation, al-Arouri noted that the talks to achieve national unity and agree on national visions have stopped after the "abrupt and unjustified" decision by PA President Mahmoud Abbas to cancel Palestinian elections. 

Al-Arouri demonstrated that the PA security forces have not abided by a decree issued by Abbas during the unity talks to end arbitrary arrests and all forms of unlawful torture and suppression.  
He urged Fatah, the PA, and the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) to cease all such transgressions, which are a "violation of red lines and are unaccepted at the national, popular, ethical, and religious levels by any standard."   

Local elections

Commenting on the local elections that have been recently held in the West Bank, al-Arouri reiterated his movement's position against this move. 

Concerning resistance to the Israeli occupation, al-Arouri called for escalating all forms of resistance to face off the Israeli occupation.  

Gaza blockade

Al-Arouri said: "It is time for the Israeli occupation to understand that our Palestinian people will never exchange their resistance with a decent life."

The Israeli occupation has to realise that its continuous siege on the Gaza Strip and aggression on Palestinian sacred sites, Jerusalem, and Palestinian detainees will "unprecedentedly cause the conflict to explode," denying media reports of a long-term truce with the Israeli occupation. 

Al-Arouri regretted the shooting at Palestinian martyr Hamza Shahin's funeral by PA security forces in Lebanon's Burj Shemali refugee camp, adding that the incident is being investigated internally and by the Lebanese government.