G AZA CITY: A Hamas official today accused US envoy Steve Witkoff of reneging on Washington’s positions and distorting reality after he announced the US’ withdrawal from Gaza truce talks and accused the group of blocking a deal.

One of the amendments in Hamas' latest response has called for the exclusion of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) from participating in future aid distribution and delivery efforts, instead, relying on the previous mechanism led by the United Nations and other human rights organisations.

A total of 50 hostages remain in the Gaza Strip of the 251 people abducted by Hamas during its October 7, 2023, attack on Israel that killed approximately 1,200 people. Israeli authorities say 20 of the hostages are still alive. Hamas-run health authorities report over 57,000 Palestinian deaths since 2023 in the Israel's response.