Hamas says captives won't be released until Gaza war ends

Hamas’s acting Gaza chief, Khalil al-Hayya, stated in an interview with Al-Aqsa TV that no captives-for-prisoners exchange deal would occur unless Israel’s assault on Gaza came to an end.  

Hayya confirmed “ongoing calls with mediating countries” regarding potential negotiations and expressed the group’s readiness to engage.  

He accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of stalling the talks for “political reasons”, claiming his government was hindering progress.