Hamas is open to discussions over truce with Israel

Oct 9 (Reuters): A senior Hamas official said the group is open to discussions over a possible truce with Israel, having “achieved its targets.”

Moussa Abu Marzouk told media in a phone interview that Hamas was open to “something of that sort” and “all political dialogues” when asked whether the Islamist group is willing to discuss a possible ceasefire.

UN chief ‘deeply distressed’ by planned Israeli siege of Gaza

Meanwhile, Israeli military has said that an unprecedented 300,000 reservists have been called and a blockade on the Gaza Strip was being imposed, in a sign it may be planning a ground assault in response to the devastating weekend attack by Hamas gunmen.

The spokesperson for Hamas’ armed wing said the group will not negotiate over Israeli captives “under fire”. The spokesperson, Abu Ubaida, said in a video speech that Israel should be ready to “pay the price” in return for the captives’ freedom.