Commenting on Israel’s rejection of the ceasefire plan proposed by Hamas, a spokesman for the Palestinian Islamist movement said it was indicative of Netanyahu’s intention to pursue conflict in the wider Middle East region.

Sami Abu Zihri told the Reuters news agency, among other things, that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s statements are “a form of political lionism, which demonstrates his intention to pursue conflict in the region.”

The (Hamas) movement is ready for all eventualities, he added.

A Hamas delegation led by Khalil al-Haya will travel to Cairo tomorrow Thursday for talks with Egyptian and Qatari officials with the aim of reaching a truce, Osama Hamdan – a top figure in the Islamist movement – confirmed today at a press conference in Lebanon.