Hamas official says group pulled out of truce talks over Israeli 'massacres'

A senior Hamas official has said that the group has withdrawn from ceasefire negotiations following Saturday's Israeli "massacres" in Mawasi and Shati refugee camps.

The unnamed official told AFP that Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh told international mediators Qatar and Egypt that the group would "halt negotiations due to the occupation's [Israel's] lack of seriousness, continued policy of procrastination and obstruction, and the ongoing massacres against unarmed civilians".

"Hamas has shown great flexibility to reach an agreement and end the aggression and is ready to resume negotiations when the occupation government demonstrates seriousness in reaching a ceasefire agreement and a prisoner exchange deal."