Beirut, 6 March 2024 (dpa/MIA) - The Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement said on Wednesday that it will continue negotiating through mediators until an agreement on a ceasefire is reached with Israel. 

"The movement will continue to negotiate through its mediator brothers to reach an agreement that fulfils the demands and interests of our people," Hamas said in a statement.

Hamas said it has shown the required "flexibility" to reach an agreement which requires "a cessation of aggression" in Gaza and accused Israel of putting obstacles in the way of talks.

"[Israel] is still evading the main points of this agreement, especially those that will achieve a permanent ceasefire, the return of the displaced, withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, and providing the needs of our people," Hamas said.

Representatives from the United States, Qatar and Egypt are negotiating a temporary ceasefire with Hamas in Cairo. Israel is not participating directly in the talks.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is demanding, among other things, that Hamas submit a list with the names of the hostages held in Gaza who are still alive.

However, Hamas officials said they were unable to say which of the hostages kidnapped from Israel were still alive because of the Israeli attacks.

Hamas and other militant groups from Gaza kidnapped some 240 people when they attacked southern Israel on October 7, killing around 1,200 people.

Israel responded with relentless bombardment of the sealed-off Palestinian coastal area and launched a ground operation into Gaza in order to eliminate Hamas.

Photo: dpa