Ready For "Complete Agreement" If Israel Stops War In Gaza: Hamas

Hamas on Thursday said that they are ready to reach "complete agreement", which includes hostage exchange, if Israel stops bombing people in Gaza and stops the war.

News agency Reuters reported that Hamas is ready to reach "complete agreement" with Israel if the latter "stops its war and aggression against the people in Gaza".

This development comes after Israel pressed a major offensive on the southern Gazan city of Rafah, despite a stern order by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), to stop the attacks.

"Hamas and the Palestinian factions will not accept to be part of this policy by continuing (ceasefire) negotiations in light of the aggression, siege, starvation and genocide of our people. Today, we informed the mediators of our clear position that if the occupation stops its war and aggression against our people in Gaza, our readiness (is) to reach a complete agreement that includes a comprehensive exchange deal," Hamas statement read.

Israel, on the other hand, has rejected Hamas' truce offers calling them insufficient and said it is determined to wipe out an outfit hell-bent on its destruction. Israel added that the Rafah assault focussed on rooting out Hamas fighters and rescuing hostages.

The Jewish majority country said that its offensive on Hamas in Gaza will continue throughout the year. This comes after Washington rallied behind Israel on the Rafah assault and said it "did not amount to major ground operation that would trigger a change in US policy".

Israeli tanks entered the heart of Rafah for the first time on Tuesday where many Palestinians were taking refuge from bombings in rest of the region.

The Rafah attacks claimed lives of 35 and injured dozens, according to Palestinian health and civil emergency service officials.