Hamas official: Terms of hostages' release out of question until end of war

Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh, who is outside Gaza with his family, said that conditions for the release of hostages will not be discussed until the end of the war.

According to NEWSru.co.il, he said that this has been stated to all parties who have contacted Hamas about the matter.

Haniyeh added that the "price" will be set by the Hamas itself.

Ismail Haniyeh was elected as the new head of the Hamas political bureau after his predecessor, Khalid Mashal, resigned in May 2017.

In December 2019, Haniyeh left Gaza for a "foreign tour" and has yet to return to the Strip, having travelled to dozens of countries over the years.

On August 1, 2021, it became known that Haniyeh's cadence as head of the Hamas political bureau had been extended for another four years.