Hamas says sharp differences with Israel on ceasefire talks

A Palestinian Hamas group official with knowledge of the ceasefire talks has said that there are deep differences between Hamas and Israel in the talks for a Gaza ceasefire. Talks on a ceasefire and possible hostage and prisoner exchanges resumed this week in Doha, with Israel's spy chief joining Egyptian, Iraqi and US mediators.

"There is a deep difference of positions in the negotiations between Hamas and the occupier (Israel). The enemy wants to reach a temporary ceasefire after which it can resume its aggression against our people," the official said in the statement. "Israel has refused to agree to a comprehensive ceasefire and has also refused to completely withdraw its forces from Gaza," the official said.

The official said that "Israel wants to keep matters of relief, shelter and aid under its control and has demanded that the United Nations not return to work in the Gaza Strip." Long-strained relations between Israel and the United Nations have deteriorated as international outrage grows over the massive civilian death toll and humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The return of hostages taken in the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel has been a central question in the talks – but Hamas officials have not commented on the issue. The Palestinian group Hamas took about 250 Israeli and foreign hostages in the attack, but dozens were released during a week-long ceasefire in November.