A member of Israel’s negotiation team has said Hamas’ demand that Israel halt their operation in Gaza to reach a ceasefire deal is “delusional”, Al Jazeera reports citing Israel’s Ynet news site.

“It won’t happen,” the unnamed official told Ynet.

“Israel is fighting in Gaza, it will continue to fight in Gaza with all its strength, and if they (Hamas) want a truce for the benefit of Gaza’s residents it must only be through negotiating the release of hostages.”

Yesterday, Hamas issued a statement saying it is ready to “reach a complete agreement that includes a comprehensive exchange deal”, but it cannot negotiate while Israel continues its “aggression, siege, starvation and genocide of our people”.

Editorial

Updated 01 Aug, 2026

Maritime alliance

AS the US-Iran war drags on, new battle lines are being drawn. The pro-US Gulf Arab monarchies and Iran have enjoyed...
01 Aug, 2026

Local governance

INTERIOR Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s speech at a business summit on Thursday has stirred a hornet’s nest. His...
01 Aug, 2026

Murders in Balochistan

GOOD news is scarce in Balochistan. Seven labourers were abducted and gunned down in Turbat city recently. Four...
31 Jul, 2026

Expanding conflict

WITH neither of the belligerents willing to back down, and the theatre of conflict expanding geographically, the...
31 Jul, 2026

Spoils and spats

A FIGHT over assembly seats in Azad Jammu and Kashmir has laid bare what seem to be some deep resentments between ...
31 Jul, 2026

Unfair tax system

THE disclosure that the FBR collected nearly Rs1.9tr in sales and income taxes through electricity bills over the...