Image provided by the Israeli Ministry of Defense on December 17, 2023 shows Israeli soldiers investigating the tunnel system of the Hamas Movement recently discovered in the Gaza Strip. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Speaking on television as Muslim countries were announcing that Ramadan would begin on Monday, Haniyeh said Israel must take responsibility for the lack of a ceasefire agreement, adding that he had contacted intermediaries hours before making his statement, but got no response. Nonetheless, he said, Hamas remains open to more negotiations.

Mediators attempted to broker a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict before the start of Ramadan, but have not been successful. Hamas and Israel are blaming each other for the deadlock in the negotiations.