HAMAS today blamed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the failure of ceasefire talks and accused the Israeli leader of wanting to prolong the war on Palestinians in Gaza.

This came a day after Mr Netanyahu insisted that Israel must keep open-ended control of Gaza’s border with Egypt, digging in on his stance on an issue that has threatened to derail ceasefire efforts.

In a statement Hamas said: “Netanyahu’s decision not to withdraw from the Salah al-Din [Philadelphi Corridor] axis aims to thwart reaching an agreement.

“We warn against falling into Netanyahu’s trap and tricks, as he uses negotiations to prolong the aggression against our people,” saying that Israel must be held to a deal that was agreed earlier this year.

The United States is reportedly developing a new proposal for a ceasefire and hostage release, hoping to break a long deadlock and bring an end to the nearly 11-month war.

But Hamas said: “We do not need new proposals. What is required now is to pressure Netanyahu and his government and oblige them to what has been agreed upon.”

The corridor, which was seized by Israeli forces in May, has become the key obstacle to reaching a ceasefire deal in Gaza as pressure mounts on the Israeli leader amid mass protests domestically demanding that a deal be reached that brings captives home and international outrage as the number of Palestinians confirmed killed by Israel’s military in Gaza nears 41,000.

But Mr Netanyahu told reporters on Wednesday that “Gaza must be demilitarised and this can only happen if the Philadelphi Corridor remains under firm control.” 

He insisted that this would prevent weapons being smuggled into Gaza and that Israel would only consider withdrawing from the strategic location when presented with an alternative plan to police the area.

Mr Netanyahu said: “Bring me anyone who will actually show us that they can actually prevent the recurrence” of smuggling. 

“I don’t see that happening right now. And until that happens, we’re there.”

Egypt, a mediator in the ceasefire talks along with the US and Qatar, has also demanded a concrete timeline for Israel’s withdrawal from the corridor which runs along its border. 

The United Arab Emirates, which established formal ties with Israel in the 2020 Abraham Accords, which were designed to normalise Arab-Israeli relations, also criticised Israel’s decision to control the corridor on Wednesday.