Gaza [Palestine], March 8: Hamas has said its delegation left Egypt but talks on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip will continue next week until an agreement is reached with Israel, whom the Palestinian group says has "thwarted" mediators' attempts to broker a deal before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
"Hamas's delegation left Cairo this morning for consultation with the leadership of the movement, with negotiations and efforts continuing to stop the aggression, return the displaced and bring in relief aid to our people," a Hamas statement said on Thursday.
Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri said Israel had been "thwarting" efforts to conclude a ceasefire mediated by Qatar and Egypt during four days of talks in the Egyptian capital, Cairo. Abu Zuhri said Israel was rejecting Hamas's demands to end its offensive in the enclave, withdraw its forces, and ensure freedom of entry for aid and the return of displaced people.
There was no immediate comment from Israel. Israel did not send a delegation to these recent negotiations, during which representatives from Hamas, Qatar and Egypt tried this week to secure a 40-day ceasefire in time for Ramadan, which begins early next week.
The agreement would see captives being held by Hamas and other Palestinian groups in Gaza be exchanged for Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.
Reporting from occupied East Jerusalem, Al Jazeera's Hamdah Salhut said: "This round of talks has concluded with no substantial answer or solution for [a] ceasefire or pause in the fighting."Hamas said meeting this Israeli demand is impossible without a ceasefire because captives are scattered across the warzone. According to Salhut, there were reports indicating there would be another round of talks next week.
The Ministry of Health in Gaza said the number of Palestinians confirmed killed in Israel's war has surpassed 30,800. It reported 83 deaths within the latest 24-hour reporting period alone.
Source: Qatar Tribune
