Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh blamed Israel on Sunday for stalling ceasefire talks and rejecting Hamas’s demand to finish the warfare on Gaza, however mentioned the group was nonetheless looking for a negotiated resolution.

Haniyeh mentioned Israel hadn’t but given a dedication to finish its navy offensive, pull out its forces and permit displaced Palestinians to return to their properties throughout the Gaza Strip.

“We don’t want an agreement that doesn’t end the war on Gaza,” mentioned Haniyeh in a televised speech, at some point earlier than the Muslim holy month of Ramadan begins.

“The enemy still refuses to make guarantees and clear commitments over the issue of ceasefire and stopping the aggressive war on our people,” he added.

Haniyeh mentioned his group was decided to defend its individuals and, on the identical time, search a negotiated resolution.

“Today, if we receive a clear position from the mediators, we are ready to proceed with completing the agreement and to show flexibility on the issue of prisoner exchange,” mentioned Haniyeh.

Hamas precipitated the warfare by killing 1,200 individuals and abducting 253 in an assault on Israel on Oct. 7, in line with Israeli tallies. In response, Israel launched a floor offensive and aerial bombardment of the densely populated Gaza Strip which, as of Sunday, had killed not less than 31,045 Palestinians and wounded 72,654, in line with the Hamas-run enclave’s well being ministry.

Hamas is designated a terrorist group by Israel, the United States, the European Union, Britain and others.

Haniyeh mentioned his group was open to forming a unity authorities with the rival Fatah motion of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and different factions.

He mentioned steps in direction of that aim might embody electing a Palestinian National Council and forming an interim nationwide consensus authorities with “specific tasks” till legislative and presidential elections are held.

Efforts to reconcile the 2 teams and finish divisions that worsened following the 2007 takeover of Gaza by Hamas have failed. Abbas’s authority to rule has since been lowered to the Israeli-occupied West Bank.