Hamas: Captives only to be released if their terms are met

The head of Hamas’ political bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, said on Tuesday that the captives held in Gaza will only be released when their conditions are met. 

Haniyeh added that “their resistance, leaders and fighters” are in good spirits and are “close to victory,” while Israel has “iolated everything in its aggression against the Gaza Strip with the utmost barbarism and brutality.”

Earlier, the Lebanese Al Mayadeen news channel reported that a senior member of Islamic Jihad said that Hamas and Islamic Jihad have outlined their position to Egypt, which includes demanding a ceasefire and withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip as a precondition for any progress in negotiations for the release of the hostages.