A senior Islamic Hamas leader in Gaza said Friday the indirect negotiations with Israel on freeing a captive Israeli soldier in Gaza in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails were suspended.
Osma al-Mzeini told reporters that his movement won't start any negotiations on any prisoner swap with Israel until the latter shows a full commitment to an Egyptian-brokered truce between Hamas and Israel.
"We will evaluate the truce in the coming days. We decided not to start any negotiations on freeing the Israeli soldier until Israel shows full and real commitment to easing the blockade and opening the crossings," said al-Mzeini.
Israel ordered to close down all border crossing points with the Gaza Strip on Thursday after an unknown militant group called "Badder Brigades", which doesn't belong to any faction, claimed responsibility for launching a homemade rocket from Gaza at southern Israel. No injuries or damages were reported.
Last week and the week before Israel closed down Gaza crossing point twice following homemade rockets attacks from Gaza at Israel.
On June 19, Israel and Gaza militant groups reached a six-month truce that was mediated by Egypt in the Gaza Strip.
According to the truce agreement, Israel stops attacks on Gaza militant groups and eases a one-year blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip for stopping rocket attacks fired from Gaza at southern Israel.
Hamas, which led a cross-border raid in 2006 which kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, demands the release of about 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in addition to imprisoned women and children.
Source: Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article