Hamas official says Blinken ceasefire comments attempt to acquit Israel

Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's comments on Gaza ceasefire talks are an attempt to put pressure on the Palestinian group and acquit Israel.

Abu Zuhri also said the group was still studying the recent ceasefire offer.

Blinken claimed earlier on Wednesday that the only reason a deal wouldn't be achieved is because of Hamas, despite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying on Tuesday that he will not agree to end the war, a key demand by the group.