Hamas says it will not engage with Israel again until ‘hunger war’ in Gaza ends

‘No sense’ in considering new truce proposals, says group, hours after Israel agrees plan for ‘conquest’ of territory

Palestinians struggle to get donated food at a community kitchen in Khan Younis. Picture: Abdel Kareem Hana/AP

Hamas has said it is no longer interested in truce talks with Israel and urged the international community to halt Israel’s “hunger war” against Gaza, hours after Israeli officials agreed an intensified offensive in the devastated territory that would involve displacing “most” of its residents and a sustained Israeli military presence.

“There is no sense in engaging in talks or considering new ceasefire proposals as long as the hunger war and extermination war continue in the Gaza Strip,” Basem Naim, a senior Hamas official, told AFP.