Hamas has said that Israel’s rejection of a truce plan submitted by mediators at talks in Cairo had sent talks on a ceasefire and hostage release back to “square one”, AFP reports.

“The rejection of the mediators’ proposal by Israel … has returned matters to square one,” the group said in an English-language statement.

Hamas said it had agreed to the plan which involved the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, the return of displaced civilians and the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners, with the aim of a “permanent ceasefire” — something Israel has long resisted, insisting it must first finish dismantling Hamas.