Israel, Hamas trade blame for delays in reaching Gaza ceasefire deal

Israel and Hamas exchanged accusations on Wednesday, each blaming the other for delays in reaching a Gaza ceasefire deal.

In a press statement, Hamas said the talks in Doha, mediated by Qatar and Egypt, were "progressing seriously." However, it accused Israel of introducing "new conditions related to the issues of the withdrawal (from Gaza), the ceasefire, the prisoners, and the return of the displaced people." These conditions, Hamas claimed, caused "the delay in reaching an agreement that was within reach."

In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office released a statement denying Hamas's accusations. The statement said Hamas had backtracked on understandings already reached and was "hindering the negotiations."

Israel will, however, continue relentless efforts to return hostages, it added.

On Tuesday, Israel recalled its delegation from the talks in Doha, stating that the team had been involved in a week of "meaningful" discussions. "The team is returning for internal consultations in Israel regarding the continuation of negotiations for the return of our hostages," the office said.

The withdrawal of the Israeli forces from the coastal Palestinian enclave and the length of the ceasefire have been key sticking points in previous failed negotiation attempts. Hamas seeks to end the war entirely, while Israel insists on removing Hamas' control over Gaza before any resolution, and maintaining a military presence in the Palestinian enclave even after the ceasefire.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Wednesday that Israeli forces will remain in Gaza and maintain "security control" over the Palestinian territory, raising concerns that the latest round of ceasefire talks may face further deadlock.

During a visit to a buffer zone along the Gaza-Egypt border, Katz said "security control in Gaza will remain in the hands of the IDF (Israel Defense Forces)."

He stated that Israeli forces would remain in "security zones, buffer areas, and control positions" within the Gaza Strip, describing the measure as necessary "to ensure the safety of (Israeli) communities."

"There will be no Hamas government here, nor a Hamas military – a new reality will emerge thanks to the ongoing fighting," Katz added.

Early on Thursday, at least 10 people were killed and more than a dozen wounded in Israeli strikes on Gaza, according to the medics with the Gaza health authorities.

Five people were killed and 20 wounded in an Israeli airstrike on a house in Gaza City's Zeitoun neighborhood, the medics reported. They warned the death toll could rise as many remained trapped under the rubble.

In a separate incident, five journalists were killed when their vehicle was struck in the vicinity of Al-Awda hospital in Nuseirat in central Gaza, the enclave's health authorities said. The journalists worked for the Al-Quds Al-Youm television channel.

Palestinian media and local reporters said the vehicle was marked as a media van and was used by journalists to report from inside the hospital and Nuseirat camp.

There was no immediate Israeli comment on the reported strikes.

(With input from agencies)