Hamas excludes hostage exchange with Israelis as long as the attack on Gaza continues

(Patria) - The Palestinian movement Hamas has rejected the possibility of exchanging hostages it holds in the Gaza Strip for Palestinians imprisoned in Israel as long as Tel Aviv continues its aggression, TASS reported.

"Currently, no negotiations are being held (with the Israeli side), and Hamas's final position is that there will be no exchange until the aggression completely and finally ceases," said Hamas Deputy Head Saleh al-Arouri on the movement's official Telegram channel.

Al-Arouri said that Hamas, from the very beginning of the current conflict, "was ready to release foreigners without any compensation," as well as women and children. "The remaining individuals we hold are either soldiers or former soldiers, and there will be no negotiations about them until the aggression stops," he said.

The senior Hamas official added that the Israeli government "refused to finalize a deal to exchange former (Israeli) soldiers (held by Hamas) under various conditions" and continued its attacks.

He added that "hostages cannot be returned by force," adding that the only possible way for Israel to seek their release is "under the conditions of (Palestinian) resistance."

The Hamas Deputy Head reiterated that "the price for the Israeli hostages is the release of all (Palestinian) prisoners (from Israeli prisons) after a ceasefire."