Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas blamed on Monday Israeli occupation of hindering prisoners’ swap, Senior Hamas Leader Khalil al-Hayya said.

As he was speaking about the mission of the Hamas delegation in Cairo, Al-Hayya said that his movement welcomes any party’s mediation in the issue of the Israeli soldiers in the hands of Hamas military wing Al-Qassam Brigades.

During the major Israeli offensive on Gaza in 2014, when the Israeli forces killed more than 2,260 Palestinians and wounded more than 11,000 others, Al-Qassam captured two Israeli soldiers.

“The Israeli occupation is responsible for not reaching a swap, despite the efforts exerted by different parties,” Al-Hayya said.

“Israeli occupation knows very well our demands,” he said. “Meeting our demands –releasing prisoners released in previous swap – is the first step towards striking a deal.”