Israel only to retrieve hostages through prisoners’ swap: Hamas

Senior Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi said Israel can only secure the return of its captives through a prisoner exchange agreement. He criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's belief in achieving objectives through the blockade imposed on Gaza, labeling it as delusional.

"Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is delusional if he thinks he can achieve his goals through the starvation war imposed on the Gaza Strip," Mardawi said on Sunday.

Mardawi emphasised Hamas's refusal to extend the initial phase of the agreement with Israel, insisting on the implementation of all phases as originally signed. He called on mediators to ensure Israel adheres to the terms of the agreement.

The first 42-day phase of the three-stage agreement between Hamas and Israel, which included increased humanitarian aid, expired on Saturday. Under the agreement, both sides were expected to negotiate a second phase, in which Hamas would release dozens of remaining hostages in exchange for an Israeli withdrawal and a permanent ceasefire.

However, on Friday, Israel presented a new framework that would extend the first phase for an additional 42 days, until after the Muslim and Jewish holidays of Ramadan and Passover, which end on 20 April. Hamas said Saturday that the Israeli proposal is "unacceptable."

On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel has decided "to prevent any entry of goods and supplies into Gaza" to pressure Hamas into accepting the extension proposal, which he said was put forth by US Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff.

Mardawi also declared that Hamas will halt all negotiations with Israel until the Palestinian prisoners slated for release are freed, urging mediators to ensure Israel's compliance with the agreement, The Times of Israel reported.

With IANS inputs