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From the Liveblog of Tuesday, October 10, 2023

Hamas leader: No prisoner swap before end of war

By Gianluca Pacchiani

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10 October 2023, 2:22 pm 7 Edit

Gianluca Pacchiani is the Arab affairs reporter for The Times of Israel

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh speaks during a press conference after meeting with Lebanese President Michel Aoun, at the presidential palace, in Baabda, east of Beirut, Lebanon, June 28, 2021. (Dalati Nohra/Lebanese Official Government via AP)

Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh says that the issue of prisoner exchanges will only be tackled after the end of the war.

In a statement, the terror group leader says that “parties that have contacted us” offering mediation for a hostage release through a prisoner swap have been informed of the decision.

Haniyeh also praises Gazans’ endurance and willingness to sacrifice themselves for the Palestinian cause, and says that the “destruction” currently carried out by the Israeli army in Gaza in retaliation strikes is a reflection of the “shame of its defeat.”

The death toll since Hamas launched its devastating cross-border attack on Saturday has risen to over 900, with some 150 people kidnapped to Gaza, according to reports.

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