A top Hamas official has said that “intensifying” Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip would harden the Palestinian group’s negotiating position in mediation efforts towards a truce.

Hamas official Hossam Badran, asked about the increased military operations, told AFP that Israel “is trying to pressure negotiations by intensifying bombing operations, displacement, and committing massacres”.

According to Badran, the Israeli government was “hoping that the resistance will relinquish its legitimate demands”, which include a complete ceasefire and full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.

But “the continuation of massacres compels us to adhere to our demands”, he said.