No swap deal until aggression on Gaza ends, IOF withdraw: PIJ chief

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies + Al Mayadeen
31 Dec 2023 12:18

The Secretary-General of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad confirms that any other talk in this regard is "meaningless" if these conditions are not met.

A handout picture provided by the Iranian Presidency shows the Secretary-General of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) movement, Ziyad al-Nakhalah, during a meeting with the Iranian President in Tehran, on August 4, 2022. (Photo by Iranian Presidency/AFP)

The Secretary-General of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) movement, Ziyad al-Nakhalah, reiterated that no prisoner exchange deals or other sorts of agreements will take place between the Resistance and the Israeli occupation unless the aggression on Gaza stops.

Al-Nakhalah stressed that "there will be no prisoners-captives exchange deals without the complete withdrawal of enemy forces from the Gaza Strip," pointing out that any other talk in this regard is "meaningless" if these two conditions are not met.

The Palestinian Resistance factions have underlined that the cessation of the Israeli aggression on the Strip and the complete withdrawal of the invading Israeli forces from Gaza are prerequisites to completing any such deal with the Israeli occupation.

On Saturday evening, thousands of Israeli settlers took to the streets of "Tel Aviv" calling for the release of Israeli captives from the Gaza Strip and the resignation of Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from his position.

The recurring demonstrations by settlers, held under the banner of "Bring back the captives now," have been demanding a ceasefire and an exchange deal.

Settlers raised signs that read "Stop the war" and "guilty" [referring to Netanyahu].

Former US Ambassador Dennis Ross, in a speech during the demonstration, called for the speedy release of Israeli captives from the Gaza Strip, pointing out that all Israeli settlers are in favor of the speedy release of the captives from Gaza.

Earlier, Netanyahu said in a speech that "Israel" is engaged in "fighting on all fronts" in a war that is slated to last for months.

According to Netanyahu, the Israeli invasion of Gaza will continue until all the goals of the Israeli occupation forces' onslaught are achieved, which he said include the complete destruction of Hamas and the return of all Israeli captives taken by the Palestinian Resistance on October 7.

More time is needed to "win", he claimed, vowing that Gaza would "not be a threat to Israel" and that the Resistance factions there would be eradicated.

Al-Nakhalah's statements come after claims made by Netanyahu, who when asked if a new deal for the release of captives was being negotiated, replied, "We are seeing a certain shift (but) I don't want to create an expectation."