Hamas urges US pressure on Israel over Gaza truce

Smoke billows during Israeli bombardment in Rafah on the southern Gaza Strip on Feb. 6, 2024 amid ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. AFP Photographer, Mahmoud Hams, is one of four nominated photographers for the prestigious "Visa d'or news" at the 36th edition of the "Visa pour l'image" press photography festival in Perpignan. (Photo by Mahmud Hams / AFP)

Hamas called on the United States Thursday to "exert real pressure" on Israel to reach a Gaza ceasefire agreement as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there was no deal in the making.

The two sides have traded blame over stalling talks for a ceasefire and hostage exchange as Netanyahu faces pressure to seal a deal following the deaths of six Gaza captives.

Hamas's Qatar-based lead negotiator Khalil al-Hayya called on the U.S. to "exert real pressure on Netanyahu and his government" and "abandon their blind bias" towards Israel.

But Netanyahu said there is "not a deal in the making."

"Unfortunately, it's not close but we will do everything we can to get them to the point where they do make a deal," he told U.S. media.

Netanyahu insists that Israel must retain control over the Philadelphi Corridor along the Egypt-Gaza border to prevent weapons smuggling to Hamas, whose Oct. 7 attack on Israel started the war.

Hamas is demanding complete Israeli withdrawal from the area and on Thursday said Netanyahu's position "aims to thwart reaching an agreement."

The Palestinian militant group says a new deal is unnecessary because they agreed months ago to a truce outlined by Biden.

"We warn against falling into the trap of Netanyahu... who uses negotiations to prolong the aggression against our people," Hamas said in a...