The latest friction in negotiations comes as the fighting nears 20 months of war, and as desperation grows among hungry Palestinians and relatives of hostages in Gaza.

The Palestinian group Hamas has submitted its response to a United States-backed ceasefire proposal, but a leading official from the group said the proposed deal offered “no guarantees to end the war”.

In its amendment to the ceasefire proposal, according to the reports, Hamas has demanded Israel's complete withdrawal from Gaza strip as it reiterated its call to end the war.