Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Hamas had rejected all elements of a proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza that would help facilitate the release of hostages, AFP reports.

“Hamas has rejected everything […] I hope that changes because I want those hostages out,” Netanyahu told a news conference, casting doubt on the possibility of a breakthrough one day after the State Department said it was “time to finalise that deal”.

“We’re trying to find some area to begin the negotiations,” Netanyahu said.

“They (Hamas) refuse to do that… (They said) there’s nothing to talk about.”

“The whole thing has not been resolved,” he said.