MOSCOW, April 8. /TASS/. Palestinian ambassador to Moscow Abdel Hafiz Nofal believes it is crucial to speed up a prisoner exchange deal between the radical Palestinian movement Hamas and Israel.

"We want to speed up the prisoner exchange and to restore law and order to Gaza. This is the only [right] solution to start rebuilding the area," Nofal told a news conference marking International Al-Quds Day.

Nofal also noted that Palestine wished an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the delivery of humanitarian aid.

"Every day 500 humanitarian aid convoys are needed," he said.

On April 7, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that there would be no ceasefire in the Gaza Strip without the release of hostages held by Hamas. He reiterated that Israel was determined to complete the elimination of the radical movement throughout the enclave, including the city of Rafah.

Tensions flared up in the Middle East on October 7, 2023 when militants from the radical Palestinian group Hamas staged a surprise attack on Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip, killing residents of Israeli border settlements and taking 240 hostages, including women, children and the elderly. Israel announced a total blockade of the Gaza Strip and delivered air strikes on Gaza as well as some parts of Lebanon and Syria. A ground operation in the enclave began.