Hamas may be ready to release nearly 200 hostages if Israel stops its campaign of airstrikes on Gaza, Iran’s foreign ministry has said.
However, the militant group has not acknowledged making such an offer.
Iran is the main sponsor of Hamas in its fight against Israel – Tehran’s arch regional enemy.
Hamas officials “stated they are ready to take necessary measures to release the citizens and civilians held by resistant groups, but their point was that such measures require preparations that are impossible under daily bombardment by the Zionists against various parts of Gaza”, foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said.
Hamas has said it will trade the 199 captives it holds for thousands of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.
Israel has previously said it won’t lift its siege of Gaza until the hostages are freed.
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