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Hamas: No talks until Israeli war stops

ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency

Mon / 25 December 2023 / 09:50

Senior Hamas official stressed that the Resistance in Gaza has a unified position regarding the conditions to start talks regarding a prisoner exchange deal. -- Palestinian officials touch on proposals presented by "Israel", including a prisoner exchange and a temporary ceasefire, and affirm that the Resistance will not discuss any proposals before a comprehensive ceasefire.

Tehran-ISNA- The head of Hamas' National Relations Abroad reiterated that the Resistance's position regarding any talks on a prisoner exchange with the Israeli occupation will not take place until the war on Gaza stops.

Talking to Al Mayadeen, Ali Baraka said that the Resistance has examined the situation and informed both the Qatari and Egyptian sides that it will not discuss a prisoner swap until the Israeli aggression ceases, stressing that the Resistance aims to empty Israeli prisons, especially as the occupation recently increased the number of Palestinian prisoners from the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Providing field updates, the senior official said that the occupation entity is unable to bear the losses it is suffering in Gaza, noting that the costs on the invading forces are significantly high.

"[Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu and [US President Joe] Biden are incapable of sustaining the war, but Netanyahu is using the Israeli army to remain in power for a longer duration," he stated, referring to the political crisis and criminal investigation the premier is facing.

The Resistance is still fighting on all Gaza axes, Baraka confirmed, pointing out that the invading forces have not been able yet to establish and maintain a presence in areas it advanced to earlier, "as evidenced by the events in the Juhr al-Deek area today." Israeli media reported that occupation forces have retreated in several areas in Gaza, Juhr al-Deek being one of them.

Baraka revealed that the Resistance had prepared a defense plan before engaging in Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, stressing, "We are in control on the battlefield and are more resilient than the occupiers."

Detailing the Israeli plan on the talks, Baraka said that "the enemy seeks to separate the files through brokering a prisoner exchange deal while also resuming aggression on Gaza," affirming that the Resistance will "not relinquish the prisoner card" and that all factions share this stance.

The Resistance's negotiating position is stronger with the prisoners card at hand, Baraka said, confirming that "we will not give it up."

"Hamas rejected any proposal for a one- or two-week ceasefire," the movement's official said, referring to Hamas' position that only a comprehensive and full ceasefire is accepted.

Relisting the conditions to start talks, he said: "ending the aggression, reopening the crossings, evacuating the wounded, and preserving the environment conducive to resistance."

"The Resistance desires an end to the war, but it does not want to compromise on the prisoner card and seeks to conduct an exchange deal based on its terms."

Baraka also touched upon the Palestinian internal reconciliation file with the Palestinian Authority, stating that it would be discussed later based on existing agreements, However, the current priority is to stop the Israeli aggression.

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