'Hamas seeks honourable prisoner swap'

Hamas has Israeli prisoners and seeks an “honourable” prisoner swap, member of the movement’s political bureau Mohamed Nazzal said yesterday.

Speaking on Al-Quds TV, Nazzal said that the Israeli occupation is showing “indifference” regarding the issue of its countrymen which are held by the Palestinian resistance but, at the same time, it has not stopped searching for them.

Nazzal said that the Israeli prisoners would not be freed unless a “high price” was paid. He refused to discuss a possible timeframe for the prisoner swap because he did not want the families to be affected.

Stressing his movement enjoyed a positive relationship with Iran; he confirmed that the latest Hamas visit to Tehran came in line with efforts to maintain these relations.

“We do not deny that there was a difference regarding certain issues with Iran,” he said, “but the relations did not stop anytime and they have been activated recently.”

He reiterated that his movement has political relations with all sides supporting the Palestinian issue, noting that Iran is one of these sides. “Hamas recognised from the beginning of its life that there is an important need for relations with all sides, even with the United States,” he said.

Regarding the unity government, he said that his movement agreed on this administration based on a clear programme, but afterwards, the government withdrew its obligations and responsibilities.

Warning about Gaza, he said: “The situation could explode any time as the disastrous situation cannot continue forever. There is a strict siege and an economic crisis. Gaza became a big prison.”

He said that the Strip is being subjected to “political blackmailing” and that the reconstruction is a “humanitarian issue”. He called on Egypt to “immediately” open the Rafah crossing because there is no “justification” for keeping it closed.