Renowned Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Gumi, has urged Palestinian Islamist group, Hamas, to release all Israeli civilian hostages unconditionally.
In a statement posted on his verified Facebook page on Saturday, Gumi described the abduction of civilians as a “miscalculation” and advised Hamas to reconsider its strategy in the ongoing conflict.
“Hamas should release all civilian hostages without any conditions. It’s a miscalculation to abduct them in the first place,” he wrote.
The cleric further suggested that Hamas should “re-plan to take back their indigenous land through the clean use of force,” which he described as a legitimate right to self-defense. According to him, such an approach would secure divine support and eventual victory.
Gumi’s comments followed reports that Hamas had agreed to release some hostages as part of a ceasefire plan facilitated by U.S. President Donald Trump, who has also urged Israel to halt its bombardment of Gaza.
