The United States has said that Hamas bears full blame for Israel’s massive deadly airstrikes, saying the group could have accepted a ceasefire extension proposal by US special envoy Steve Witkoff, AFP reports.

“Hamas bears total responsibility for the war and for the resumption of hostilities,” a State Department spokesperson said.

“Every death would have and could have been avoided had Hamas accepted the ‘bridge’ proposal that SE Witkoff offered last Wednesday.”

“Hamas is delaying the compelling deal in front of us and forcing Palestinians to suffer the consequences,” the State Department spokesperson said.