Hamas unwilling to talk 'further proposals' as Israel refuses withdrawal demands: Report

The Hamas movement has warned against "misinformation" being released regarding the ongoing Qatar-hosted truce talks, Al Jazeera reports. 

Hamas’s political bureau official Bassem Naim said that during the talks the Israelis have insisted on focusing only on the release of captives and have been unwilling to discuss Hamas’s three demands – a permanent end to the war, "total withdrawal" from Gaza and the return of displaced people to their homes.

"Hamas has clearly told the mediators that we cannot accept negotiating any prisoner deal unless the Israelis give these guarantees,” Naim told Al Jazeera.

'It is up to the superpower Americans and Europeans to exercise more pressure on Netanyahu'

- Bassem Naim, Hamas’s political bureau official

Naim said it was "shocking" that the latest Israeli proposals retract points previously agreed on at prior talks, the news agency reported. 

"Now suddenly, the Israelis are rejecting these. We believe it is not about a ceasefire, it is about Netanyahu using the negotiations as a cover to gain more time to continue his plans for the complete bombardment of the rest of the Gaza Strip, including Rafah, and to relieve international pressure," said Naim.

"We told the negotiators tonight we’re not ready to discuss any further proposals. There are talks between the Israelis and the negotiators. There are no talks with us. It is up to the superpower Americans and Europeans to exercise more pressure on Netanyahu not endanger the whole region and undermine any chance of long-term stability, security and prosperity."