GAZA, Sept 15 (NNN-WAFA) – Hamas said yesterday, it had suspended talks on a prisoner swap with Israel, after accusing Israel of targeting its negotiating delegation in the Qatari capital, Doha.
“Negotiations cannot continue, if the delegation responsible for them is attacked inside the country acting as mediator,” Tahir al-Nono, a senior Hamas official, said in a statement.
Hamas said, Israeli airstrikes last Tuesday hit residential compounds in Doha, used by its leaders while they were discussing a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal. The delegation, led by senior Hamas official, Khalil al-Hayya, survived, but five Hamas members and a Qatari security officer were killed, Hamas said.
Al-Nono accused recalcitrant Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, of obstructing efforts to reach both a ceasefire and a prisoner exchange. He warned that, intensified Israeli strikes on residential towers in Gaza could endanger Israeli captives held there.
“The only logical solution is for the international community to issue and enforce a decision to stop this war,” he said.
Al-Nono also dismissed U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio’s visit to Israel yesterday, saying, Hamas expected no change in Israel’s position.
The comments came, as Israeli airstrikes levelled residential buildings in Gaza City in recent days, killing dozens, according to Palestinian health officials. Israel says, its operations target Hamas infrastructure and fighters, while Palestinians say, civilians are bearing the brunt of the attacks, with many women and children murdered.
Qatar, Egypt and the U.S., tried to broker a ceasefire and prisoner exchange, since the latest Gaza war erupted, but the Doha strike has cast fresh doubt on prospects for progress.– NNN-WAFA
