AdvertisementAdvertisementPeople attend a rally calling for the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip and urges a ceasefire, in front of the US Embassy branch office in Tel Aviv, Jul 7, 2025, ahead of the planned meeting between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (Photo/Oded Balilty)27 Jul 2025 03:48AM Bookmark Bookmark WhatsApp Telegram Facebook Twitter Email LinkedInRead a summary of this article on FAST.Get bite-sized news via a newcards interface. Give it a try.Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FASTFAST GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories: Hamas officials expressed surprise on Saturday (Jul 26) at US President Donald Trump's accusation that the group "didn't really want" a ceasefire and hostage release deal for Gaza.Trump made the allegation of Friday a day after Israel and the United States quit indirect negotiations with Hamas in Qatar that had lasted nearly three weeks."Trump's remarks are particularly surprising, especially as they come at a time when progress had been made on some of the negotiation files," Hamas official Taher al-Nunu told AFP."So far, we have not been informed of any issues regarding the files under discussion in the indirect ceasefire negotiations", he addedNunu, who is close to Hamas's most senior political officials, said he was "surprised" that Israel and the United States had left the talks.Announcing the recall of US mediators on Thursday, Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff accused Hamas of not "acting in good faith".Netanyahu, Trump appear to abandon Gaza ceasefire negotiations with HamasUSAID analysis finds no evidence of widespread Hamas theft of Gaza aidIsrael will let foreign countries drop aid into Gaza, Israel army radio saysThough not part of the Hamas negotiating team, Hamas politburo member Izzat al-Rishq insisted the group had shown "flexibility" in the talks."The American statements deliberately ignore the real obstructionist to all agreements, Netanyahu's government, which continues to put obstacles, deceive and evade commitments," he said.Both Hamas officials called on the United States to be more even-handed in its role as mediator in the quest for a ceasefire after more than 21 months of fighting."We call for an end to the US bias in favour of Netanyahu, who is obstructing any agreement", Nunu said.Source: AFP/fsSign up for our newslettersGet our pick of top stories and thought-provoking articles in your inboxSubscribe hereGet the CNA appStay updated with notifications for breaking news and our best storiesDownload hereGet WhatsApp alertsJoin our channel for the top reads for the day on your preferred chat appJoin hereAlso worth readingContent is loading...Expand to read the full storyGet bite-sized news via a newcards interface. Give it a try.Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FASTFAST