Hamas does not agree to exchange hostages with Israel until the end of the war in Gaza.

Khalil al-Hayya, the acting head of Hamas in Gaza, said on November 20, 2024 that the group would not enter into an agreement with Israel on the exchange of hostages until the war in the enclave ends, as reported by Reuters.

“Without ending the war there can be no exchange of prisoners. If the aggression continues, why would Hamas return the prisoners? What’s the point of losing your arguments when the war is still going on,” al-Hayya emphasized.

He also blamed Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu for the lack of progress in the negotiations. Netanyahu, in turn, noted that it was because of Hamas’s position that the negotiations were stuck.

“Contacts continue with other countries and mediators to resume negotiations. But it is important to see a true desire on the part of the occupiers to stop the aggression,” al-Hayya added.

Netanyahu said on Tuesday, November 19, that Hamas will not rule the Palestinian enclave after the war and that Israel has destroyed the group's military capabilities.

Peace talks in Gaza have stalled. A year has passed since the start of the war in the enclave, which began with an attack by Hamas militants on Israel.

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