Israel accuses Hamas of hindering Gaza ceasefire

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office issued a statement saying Hamas "continues to lie" and is "reneging on understandings that have already been reached" in Gaza ceasefire talks. 

The statement further claimed that Hamas is "continuing to create difficulties in the negotiations" and that "Israel will continue its relentless efforts to return all of our hostages".

Earlier, Hamas issued a statement saying that Israel had set new conditions, causing delays in reaching a ceasefire agreement. The conditions reportedly pertain to the withdrawal from Gaza, the Israeli hostages and the return of displaced Palestinians.

The Palestinian group said, however, that it was showing flexibility and that the talks on a ceasefire, mediated by Qatar and Egypt, are progressing.