Hamas says Israel rejected a 'complete ceasefire and full exchange' of captives

Hamas spokesperson Osama Hamdan said in an interview with Al Jazeera that the Palestinian group had put forth an initiative for a “complete ceasefire and a full exchange, but Israel rejected it”.

“Israel is delaying reaching a deal … we previously agreed to a gradual timetable for the withdrawal from Gaza, but Israel did not accept that,” he said.

Over the past week, Israel and Hamas have traded blame over the delays in reaching a possible ceasefire agreement.