The Hamas Movement has categorically denied there are Arab mediation efforts to broker a new prisoner swap deal between the Palestinians in Gaza and Israel.
“There is no mediation over the captive soldiers being held by al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas)” Hamas spokesman Hazem Qasem told Quds Press.
Qasem reiterated his Movement’s call for releasing all detainees who were freed during the 2011 swap deal but rejailed later as a precondition before negotiating a new one.
Hebrew media outlets claimed that Qatar had tried to mediate a prisoner swap deal between Hamas and Israel but its attempt failed after the Israeli government refused to release rejailed Palestinians and demanded their banishment to Gaza or Qatar.
