DOHA, May 9, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - A Hamas official on Thursday accused Israel of carrying out incursions in Gaza's southernmost city of Rafah to block talks seeking a truce in the seven-month war in the Palestinian territory.

Israel's military operations in Rafah and its border crossing "aim to obstruct the efforts of the mediators", Ezzat al-Rishq said in a statement, adding Hamas had sent a delegation to the talks in Cairo and that it was still committed to accepting a ceasefire proposal presented by mediators.