Hossam Badran has accused the Israeli prime minister of issuing statements aimed at undermining prospects for a truce in the war, reports Al Jazeera.

The top Hamas official told AFP the group was in the process of conducting internal dialogues within its leadership and with allied groups before negotiators return to Cairo to continue negotiations towards a truce.

“Netanyahu was the obstructionist in all previous rounds of dialogue and previous negotiations, and it is clear that he still is,” he said in a telephone interview.

“He is not interested in reaching an agreement, and therefore he says words in the media to thwart these current efforts.”

Badran reiterated that Hamas’s goal remains a lasting ceasefire and “a complete and comprehensive withdrawal of the occupation forces from the Gaza Strip”.

Bd-pratidin English/Tanvir Raihan