Iranian Foreign Ministry claims Hamas willing to release hostages if Israel ends air strikes on Gaza Strip

The Iranian Foreign Ministry says Hamas is ready to release hostages if Israel stops its campaign of airstrikes on the Gaza Strip.

The Times of Israel reports.

"Hamas officials stated that they are ready to take necessary measures to release the citizens and civilians held by resistance groups, but their point was that such measures require preparations that are impossible under daily bombardment by the Zionists against various parts of Gaza," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said.

Earlier, Israeli Defence Forces spokesperson Daniel Hagari said that 199 people were being held captive by Hamas militants. There are many elderly people, children and women among the hostages.

Photo: vocfm.co.za