Israel's attack on Hamas leaders in Doha will not change the terms of an end to the war in Gaza, a spokesman for the Palestinian Islamist group said, quoted by Reuters, BTA reports.
In a televised address, Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum noted that Israel struck the group's delegation while it was discussing a new ceasefire proposal prepared by the Qatari prime minister a day earlier.
Qatar is hosting and mediating talks aimed at establishing a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict. Barhoum reiterated Hamas's most important demands: a full ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, a genuine exchange of prisoners and hostages, humanitarian aid, and the restoration of the Palestinian enclave.
On the other hand, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been pushing for an "all or nothing" deal in which all hostages would be released simultaneously and Hamas would surrender.
"Hamas" said five of its members were killed in the attack, including the son of the Hamas leader. Khalil al-Haya, exiled and head of the Islamist movement's negotiating delegation.
The attack in Doha was condemned by the region's most powerful countries, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, as well as the European Union, and risks derailing US-backed efforts to reach a ceasefire and end the conflict, which has been going on for almost two years, Reuters recalled.