Al-Hayya says no return of Israeli captives without ceasefire

Khalil al-Hayya, the head of Hamas in Gaza, said in a televised speech confirming the death of Yayha Sinwar that Israeli captives will not return without a ceasefire and full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

He also said that the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israel is one of his group's conditions to end the fighting, which started 12 months ago.

He mourned the "martyrdom" of Sinwar, and said the group has not been defeated.

"The death of our leader Sinwar and those [killed] before him will only increase the strength and resolve of our group," he said.

"We continue on the path of Hamas and the spirit of the Al-Aqsa Flood," he said, referring the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October last year.

"Our banner will not fall but will remain raised high," he added.