Hamas Says Open to Talks as Israel Keeps Up Gaza Strikes

Hamas said it remained open to negotiations while calling for pressure on Israel on Wednesday to implement a Gaza truce after its deadliest bombing since the fragile ceasefire began in January.

- Agence France-Presse

GAZA CITY:

Israel carried out fresh airstrikes on Gaza on Wednesday, killing 13 people according to the territory's civil defence agency, after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday's raids were "only the beginning".

The United Nations and countries around the world condemned the high civilian death toll in the renewed strikes, which have killed more than 400 people, according to Hamas-run territory's health ministry.

Hamas is open to talks on getting the ceasefire back on track but will not renegotiate the agreement that took effect on January 19, an official from the militant group said.

"Hamas has not closed the door on negotiations but we insist there is no need for new agreements," Taher al-Nunu told AFP.

"We have no conditions, but we demand that the occupation be compelled to immediately halt its aggression and war of extermination, and begin the second phase of negotiations."