The group Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, has said it will not release any of the hostages it seized during its attack on Israel earlier this month until a ceasefire is reached. The statement came as Israel continued to bomb Gaza, killing hundreds of civilians.
A member of a Hamas delegation visiting Moscow was ready to negotiate with Israel through mediators, but only after a halt to the Israeli aggression. He said that releasing the hostages, who are estimated to number more than 200, was not possible under the current circumstances.