Hamas Demands Prisoner Exchange for Release of Hostages

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian stated that Hamas is willing to release civilian hostages, but only if 6,000 Palestinians in Israeli prisons are released. He also warned the United States that if Israel's counter-attacks on Hamas in Gaza continue, Washington will not be spared from the consequences. A Hamas official linked the release of Israeli hostages to a ceasefire in Israel's counter-attacks. Israel is preparing for a ground invasion of Gaza, but there are calls to delay it to prevent further escalation. Hamas has already released four hostages and intends to release more, but they require a calm environment to do so.