Gaza, September 03  — Senior Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya has declared that a ceasefire in Gaza is impossible without a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from all parts of the Gaza Strip. Speaking to Al-Jazeera on Monday, al-Hayya criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of prioritising military objectives over the lives of Israeli prisoners.

Al-Hayya stated that Netanyahu's primary focus was on controlling the Philadelphia Corridor, a strategically significant border area between Gaza and Egypt, rather than addressing the issue of Israeli captives. "Netanyahu considers the corridor a top priority, and he views the prisoners as worthless," he said.

He also revealed that Hamas had agreed to a proposal by US President Joe Biden for a daily exchange of prisoners but claimed that Netanyahu rejected the offer and imposed new conditions. Al-Hayya accused the Israeli leader of stalling negotiations and failing to engage constructively with Hamas's willingness to discuss new terms.

The remarks come amidst heightened tensions in Gaza and ongoing military confrontations, with both sides blaming each other for the escalating violence. As the conflict continues, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, with significant loss of life and widespread destruction.