Hamas: Israeli troops sticking point in truce talks as Gaza pounded

The Islamist militant group said late on Wednesday that it had agreed to release 10 people seized in its October 7, 2023 attack on Israel that sparked the war. Both sides have been holding indirect talks in Qatar to agree a temporary halt in the conflict and the United States says it is hopeful of a 60-day truce in the coming days.

- Agence France-Presse

But Hamas said in its announcement of the partial hostage release that disagreements over the free flow of aid into Gaza and Israel's military withdrawal were sticking points in the discussions.

It also wants “real guarantees” for a lasting peace.

Senior Hamas official Bassem Naim on Thursday said the group was committed to the talks to end the war “as soon as possible”.

But he told AFP: “We cannot accept the perpetuation of the occupation of our land and the surrender of our people to isolated enclaves under the control of the occupation army (Israel).