Hamas ready to release non-military captives for Palestinian prisoners
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Iran's Foreign Minister says that this deal can be facilitated through cooperation between Iran, Turkey and Qatar.
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Iranian Foreign Minister Hussein Amir Abdollahian in 2022 (AFP)
Iranian Foreign Minister, Hussein Amir-Abdollahian, publicly announced the willingness of Hamas leaders to release Israeli non-military captives they hold, adding that Tehran is prepared to collaborate with Qatar and Turkey to facilitate this release process.
"Hamas is prepared to release the [non-military] captives if 6,000 Palestinian prisoners are released in exchange," he said.
Iran's top diplomat reaffirmed Iran's pivotal role in promoting peace and stability, stating that Iran would not remain passive if the acts of the genocide of Palestinians continued.
Amir-Abdollahian slammed the United States for sponsoring the genocide, violating international charters and laws, and providing military and financial assistance to the occupiers.
Read more: Iranian FM in New York for consultations amid war on Gaza
He emphasized the necessity for the US to exert pressure on "Israel" to prevent the escalation of the war, urging that the aggression, the killing of civilians, and the destruction of life-sustaining resources end, labeling these acts as crimes equivalent to genocide.
On Washington's military assistance to the occupation entity, he underscored that such assistance, in addition to financial support, signifies participation in these crimes, necessitating international accountability. He warned against continuous assistance to "Israel" which is escalating its brutality in Gaza and the West Bank.
Furthermore, Amir-Abdollahian asserted that any attempt to normalize relations with the Israeli entity is bound to fail, clarifying that recent events in Palestine demonstrate that normalization cannot undermine the rights of the Palestinian people.
Read more: Iran says brutal aggression on Gaza political suicide for 'Israel'
Highlighting Iran's readiness, the foreign minister stressed Tehran's commitment to playing a substantial role in advancing peace and stability in West Asia, pointing out the challenge of achieving a ceasefire amid the ongoing war in Gaza.
Lastly, Amir-Abdollahian stated that according to international law, Hamas’s actions are justifiable acts of self-defense against an occupying regime, noting that their operations come as a response to 75 years of occupation crimes. He also rejected attempts to label Palestinian acts as terrorism, stating that such efforts would not deceive free nations and the global conscience.
