Hamas official says prisoner swap negotiations suspended after Israel's attack on Doha

Alsharq Tribune-AFP 

Hamas said on Sunday it had suspended talks on a prisoner swap with Israel after accusing Israel of targeting its negotiating delegation in the Qatari capital Doha last week.

"Negotiations cannot continue if the delegation responsible for them is attacked inside the country acting as mediator," Tahir al-Nono, a senior Hamas official, said in a statement.

Hamas said Israeli airstrikes last Tuesday hit residential compounds in Doha used by its leaders while they were discussing a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal. The delegation, led by senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya, survived, but five Hamas members and a Qatari security officer were killed, the group said.

Al-Nono accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of obstructing efforts to reach both a ceasefire and a prisoner exchange. He warned that intensified Israeli strikes on residential towers in Gaza could endanger Israeli captives held there.

"The only logical solution is for the international community to issue and enforce a decision to stop this war," he said.

Al-Nono also dismissed U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's visit to Israel on Sunday, saying Hamas expected no change in Israel's position.

The comments came as Israeli airstrikes leveled residential buildings in Gaza City in recent days, killing dozens, according to Palestinian health officials. Israel says its operations target Hamas infrastructure and fighters, while Palestinians say civilians are bearing the brunt of the attacks.

Qatar, Egypt and the United States have tried to broker a ceasefire and prisoner exchange since the latest Gaza war erupted, but the Doha strike has cast fresh doubt on prospects for progress.