The Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas accused the Israeli government on the night of Monday to Tuesday of bearing “full responsibility” for the “failure” to date of the talks for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, which will be accompanied by the release of hostages and prisoners.

“The movement informed the brother mediators a while ago (with reference to Qatar and Egypt) that it remains committed to the position and momentum presented on March 14. But the occupation (including Israel) refused to respond to the fundamental demands of our people and our resistance,” Hamas emphasized in a statement it made public.

“Consequently, the movement reiterates that (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu and his extremist government bear full responsibility for the failure of negotiation efforts and has so far prevented an agreement,” Hamas added, without making clear whether it was ending in the conversations.

Hamas, which had until then demanded a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip before discussing a hostage-for-prisoner swap, appeared on March 14 ready to back down, accepting a six-week truce.

Mediating countries — Qatar, Egypt and the United States — have been trying for weeks to secure a truce deal after five and a half months of devastating war that would include the release of Israeli hostages still held in the Gaza Strip and, in return, Palestinians prisoners in Israeli prisons.

CIA chief William Burns and Mossad chief David Barnea left Qatar on Saturday “to brief” their governments on “this round” of negotiations, according to the source. who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The talks are focused “on the details and the reason for the exchange of hostages and prisoners”, he added, clarifying that “technical teams remain in Doha”.

Earlier yesterday, Monday, Hamas praised the UN Security Council’s decision calling for an “immediate ceasefire” in the Gaza Strip and expressed its willingness to begin a “hostage/prisoner exchange process” “immediately”.

Following the adoption of the resolution, the Israeli government canceled a delegation visit expected this week to Washington, saying that the US abstention in the UN vote “harms” both the Israeli military operation and efforts to free the hostages.