We cannot negotiate if Israel continues attack on Gaza City: Hamas official

Senior Hamas official Basem Naim on Thursday told Al-Araby TV that his side "cannot engage" in any ceasefire and captive swap negotiations "while the occupation continues to expand its aggression on Gaza City".

"We affirm the Qatari position that negotiations are futile in light of the ongoing aggression," he added. 

Israel, Naim said, "was deceiving everyone into engaging in negotiations to cover up its crimes and schemes".

He warned that the Israeli captives held in Gaza City will meet the same fate as its residents.

"What happened to our people during the Israeli aggression on Gaza City will happen to the Israeli prisoners, and resistance to the incursion will be fierce," Naim said.