Hamas 'surprised' by US withdrawal from Gaza ceasefire talks

Hamas has expressed surprise at the US withdrawal from Gaza ceasefire talks in Doha, Qatar on Thursday.

In a statement issued in the early hours of Friday morning, local time in Gaza, the group said it was "surprised by the negative statements made by US envoy Steve Witkoff regarding [our] position, at a time when the mediators expressed their welcome and satisfaction with this constructive and positive stance."

Hamas added it was "keen to reach an agreement that would halt the aggression and end the suffering of our people in the Gaza Strip," and that "since the beginning of the negotiating process, we have acted with national responsibility and high flexibility on various issues."

"We affirm our commitment to completing the negotiations and engaging in them in a way that contributes to overcoming obstacles and reaching a permanent ceasefire agreement," the group said.