Hamas spokesperson Khalil al-Hayya stated in a statement on Wednesday that until the conflict in the Palestinian territories is not resolved, there will be no exchange of prisoners with Israel. In an interview with Al-Aqsa television channel, Hayya said, “Without an end to the conflict, there can be no prisoner exchange.” He further added, “If the attacks do not stop, why would Hamas return the prisoners?”
Talks for a ceasefire in Gaza have been temporarily halted and on Wednesday the United States vetoed the proposal for an unconditional ceasefire at the United Nations Security Council. The United States Ambassador to Washington stated that America will only support a ceasefire that paves the way for the immediate release of Israeli prisoners of war as part of the peace process.
Haya, who leads the Hamas negotiation team in talks with intermediaries between Qatar and Egypt, held Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responsible for the lack of a ceasefire. Haya stated, “Efforts are underway to revive this file (dialogue) with some countries and intermediaries. We are ready to continue those efforts, but it is crucial to see genuine willingness from the side of the occupiers to stop the attacks.”
“Reality proves that it is Netanyahu who is weakening it (the conversation),” he said. Speaking during a visit to Gaza on Tuesday, Netanyahu said Hamas would not rule the Palestinian territory after the war ended.