Hamas says truce talks back to 'square one' as war death toll nears 35,000

Palestine-based militant group Hamas on Friday (May 10) said that the talks on a ceasefire and hostage release are back to "square one" because Israel rejected a truce plan submitted by mediators.

In a statement, the militant group said, "The rejection of the mediators' proposal by Israel... has returned matters to square one." The statement comes a day after Israeli and Hamas negotiating teams left Cairo talks on the terms of a truce without a deal.

Hamas said it had agreed to the plan, which included the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, the return of displaced civilians, and the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners.

The main objective was to establish a "permanent ceasefire" - something Israel has long opposed, insisting that it must first finish dismantling Hamas.

Meanwhile, Hamas senior official Khalil Al-Hayya said on Friday that the militant group wants calmness and a prisoners swap deal, but Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants the war to continue.

The official added that Hamas did not suspend nor withdraw from the ceasefire negotiations.

Watch: Four Israeli soldiers killed in North Gaza, tanks advances into Rafah

War in Gaza: Death toll

The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said Friday that at least 34,943 people have been killed in the Palestinian territory during the war between Israel and Hamas militants. The tally includes at least 39 deaths in the past 24 hours, a ministry statement said.

Amid the worsening situation in Gaza, the United Nations chief Antonio Guterres issued a warning that Gaza risked an "epic humanitarian disaster".

Israeli ground troops seized eastern areas of the southern city of Rafah, including the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza, earlier this week. The operations around the city effectively halted aid supplies.

"On the Gazan side of the Rafah crossing, the troops eliminated several terror cells during close-quarters combat and with an aerial strike," the military said.

Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

(With inputs from agencies)