A Hamas official has expressed surprise at US President Donald Trump’s accusation that the group “didn’t really want” a ceasefire and hostage release deal for Gaza.

“Trump’s remarks are particularly surprising, especially as they come at a time when progress had been made on some of the negotiation files,” Hamas official Taher al-Nunu told AFP.

“So far, we have not been informed of any issues regarding the files under discussion in the indirect ceasefire negotiations”, he added.

Nunu, who is close to Hamas’s most senior political officials, said he was “surprised” that Israel and the US had left the talks.

He called on the United States to be more even-handed in its role as mediator in the quest for a ceasefire after more than 21 months of fighting.

“We call for an end to the US bias in favour of Netanyahu, who is obstructing any agreement”, Nunu said.