Hamas: Without Ceasefire, No Need To Talk About Hostage Exchange

GAZA - Hamas on Thursday announced that resistance groups in Palestine had taken a "national decision" to reject talks with Israel about a prisoner swap deal if there was no ceasefire.

"The decision hinges on the complete cessation of the war in the Gaza Strip," Hamas said in a statement on Telegram reported by ANTARA from Anadolu, Thursday, December 21.

Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh arrived in Cairo on Wednesday as Egypt attempted to mediate a new deal on the exchange of hostages between the Palestinian resistance group and Israel.

During a week of humanitarian pauses in Gaza last month, Hamas has freed 81 Israelis and 24 foreigners to exchange for 240 Palestinians, including 71 women and 169 children, detained by Israel.

Israel estimates nearly 130 of its citizens are still being held hostage by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, following a cross-border attack by the group on Israel on October 7, 2023.

In retaliation, Israel severely attacked the Gaza Strip, which has so far killed nearly 20,000 Palestinians, including women and children, and injured 52,586 others, according to health authorities in the Palestinian enclave.