Civilian hostages will probably be freed if Israel reduces Gaza bombing, senior Hamas chief says

The key Hamas negotiator over the destiny of greater than 200 hostages held by the group inside Gaza says all of the civilians amongst them will probably be launched – if the appropriate situations are met.

Khaled Meshaal is a strong determine inside Hamas, revered as a dwelling martyr after surviving an Israeli try and assassinate him virtually three a long time in the past.

In his first Western tv interview because the 7 October assaults, he instructed Sky News the civilians being held by Hamas will probably be let go if Israel reduces the depth of bombing Gaza.

“Let them stop this aggression and you will find the mediators like Qatar and Egypt and some Arab countries and others will find a way to have them released and we’ll send them to their homes,” he stated.

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He stated hostage releases can’t occur whereas Israel’s air offensive stays so intense.

“We wish to cease the random bombardments, the full destruction, the genocide in order that the al Qassam troopers can take them from their locations and hand them to the Red Cross or whoever.

“We need the right conditions to allow them to be released.”

Meshaal repeated claims that 22 hostages have died in Israeli airstrikes since being taken.

Hamas is not going to say which international locations they’re from however says lots of the lifeless are Israelis.

He wouldn’t be drawn on whether or not Hamas will cease hostage negotiations completely if Israel presses forward with a floor invasion of Gaza.

So far solely two hostages have been launched by Hamas.

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In one of many first indications that Hamas overreached on 7 October, he claimed it had by no means deliberate on killing civilians.

He stated of civilian deaths: “If there was any killing, this was definitely not intended. Definitely.”

And he denied claims from Israel that Hamas had adopted new extra brutal ways.

“There is no change in Hamas’s strategy and what happened on 7 October is completely within Hamas’s strategy. The ones who kill women and children, mothers and fathers are Israelis.”

Israel says fighters focused and intentionally killed many civilians in kibbutzes and the music competition close to Gaza the place 250 unarmed younger individuals are reported to have been killed.

There is plentiful video proof exhibiting unarmed civilians being killed in chilly blood from that day.

Meshaal insisted the 7 October assaults had been completely the work of Hamas regardless of claims Iran was concerned of their planning and coaching.

“What happened on 7 October is a purely Palestinian Hamas decision.

“Hezbollah, Iran, Turkey are required to face shoulder to shoulder however everyone takes their very own choice.”

And he had an olive branch of sorts for Israel and the international community.

“The exit might be in two phases. First relating to this present battle, this prison conflict on Gaza the bombardment and aggression on Gaza ought to cease and Israel ought to stop forcefully eradicating the individuals of Gaza from the northern elements to the southern,” he added.

“All crossing factors ought to open, assist must be allowed to enter.”

Israel could also be convulsed by conflict however Meshaal stated there was even now the chance to barter with Israel over peace.

“If this happens and there is a ceasefire we come to the big question what was the root cause of what happened and we will say it’s the occupation,” he stated.

“So, Israel should withdraw from all occupied lands and we will have a window of opportunity and real opportunity.”