Numerous attempts have been made to mend the Fatah-Hamas rivalry, including a dialogue hosted last June among Palestinian factions hosted by China, though without a breakthrough. Hamas today remains the most dominant group in Gaza, though a number of other influential factions continue to operate there.

Lead Hamas negotiator Khalil al-Hayya made the announcement in a televised speech on Thursday. Late last month, Israel and Hamas appeared to be making progress following discussions mediated by Qatar,

The response is seen as neither an explicit rejection nor clear acceptance of the proposal, but US envoy Steve Witkoff has branded it "unacceptable".