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

Hamas on Thursday said it opposes any ceasefire deal that includes a large Israeli military presence in Gaza, after offering to release some hostages and as the civil defence reported scores of civilians killed across the Palestinian territory.

- Agence France-Presse

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.

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.