An Israeli helicopter flies over the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. AFP
"The claim that 'Hamas chose war instead of releasing the captives' is a distortion of the facts," Hamas said in a statement in response to the claims from US National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes on Tuesday.
He had said: "Hamas could have released hostages to extend the ceasefire but instead chose refusal and war."
The Palestinian group added that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "rejected these initiatives and deliberately sabotaged them to serve his political interests," referring to criticism he has faced in Israel, including from families of captives held in Gaza.
Israel resumed its genocidal war on Gaza on Tuesday before invading areas evacuated during the pause in Israel's war on the strip.
It came after weeks of disagreement with Hamas over extending the ceasefire that took effect on January 19.
Israel attempted to extend the first phase of the agreement, effectively stalling talks on the second phase, which would involve an Israeli withdrawal and a permanent end to the war on Gaza.
Despite the agreement being signed by Tel Aviv, Israel has repeatedly blocked progress toward this next phase, refusing to commit to its implementation. Hamas has firmly rejected this, insisting that the original terms — a phased exchange of detainees, followed by negotiations for a lasting truce — must be upheld.
Israel claims its assault on Gaza is necessary to pressure Hamas into releasing more Israelis.
Many captives' families have instead called for a renewed ceasefire, noting most captives who returned alive did so during truce periods.
In its statement, Hamas accused the United States of equating "the aggressor with the victim".
"The US statements reveal once again its full complicity in the aggression against our people, as well as its collusion with the occupation in committing genocide, starvation and siege against more than two million Palestinians in Gaza," it said.
Despite the renewed assault, Hamas has said it remains open to talks but insists no new agreements are necessary. “We have no conditions, but we demand that the occupation be compelled to immediately halt its aggression and war of extermination, and begin the second phase of negotiations,” Hamas official Taher al-Nunu told AFP on Thursday.
*This story was edited by Ahram Online.
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