Hamas leaders deny hostage deal with Israel is close

Two Hamas leaders went on record today (Sunday) denying the CNN interview earlier today in which a senior Hamas leader was claimed to have agreed to another partial deal with Israel over hostages, exchanging 7-9 hostages for 100 terrorists with life sentences and 60 days of ceasefire.

Hamas political adviser Taher al-Nunu said that "From the beginning, we refused to discuss the issue of surrendering weapons or exiling the Hamas leadership or any Gaza resident outside the Strip.

"We cannot trust the occupation again and reach a deal in stages.

"The concept acceptable to us is a prisoner exchange deal in return for a cessation of fighting and a complete withdrawal of the occupation from the Gaza Strip."

Meanwhile, Sami Abu Zuhri, another senior leader, said that "We released Idan Alexander to create a positive atmosphere, but the US does not appreciate our gesture.

"We will not hand over prisoners to the occupation as long as it continues to insist on not ending its aggression against Gaza.

"We are ready to release all prisoners at once in exchange for ending the war with international guarantees.

"The resistance" is in good condition and there is no concern about its future. Its operations continue despite the enormous gap compared to the enemy's military arsenal."