The head of the Hamas movement’s political department abroad, Sami Abu Zuhri, said on Wednesday, “The statements of US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken blaming the movement for the delay in reaching a ceasefire agreement in Gaza are contrary to the truth.”

Blinken, who is meeting with Israeli officials to discuss ways to bring more aid into Gaza, repeatedly urged Hamas to accept an offer from Israel that includes the release of hostages and a ceasefire, which he described as “very generous.”

Abu Zuhri said in statements to Reuters: “Statements contradict the truth and it is not strange that they were issued by Blinken, who is known to be the Foreign Minister of Israel and not America. They are an attempt to put pressure on the Hamas movement and exonerate the occupation.”

He added: "Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as acknowledged by the Israeli negotiating delegation, is the one obstructing reaching an agreement. Only a few days ago we received an official Israeli response and it is under study."

He pointed out that Hamas is still studying the latest ceasefire offer.

Hamas demands an end to the war and Israel's withdrawal from Gaza, while Netanyahu says that Israel must destroy the remaining Hamas formations in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip for the sake of its security, whether an agreement with Hamas is reached or not.