The US joined Israel on Thursday in pulling its negotiators from Gaza ceasefire talks, with special envoy Steve Witkoff blaming Hamas for failing to reach a deal and saying Washington would "consider alternative options".
Hamas has refuted it is to blame for the break down of the talks, claiming it had reacted "positively" to them and accusing Washington of presenting a "distortion" of events.
In Qatar, mediators have been shuttling between Israeli and Hamas delegations for more than two weeks in a bid to secure a breakthrough in indirect talks for a ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages after nearly two years of fighting.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his government was still seeking a ceasefire despite recalling its negotiators from Doha, accusing Hamas of blocking an agreement.
Pressure is mounting over the plight of the more than two million Palestinians in Gaza, where the fighting has triggered a dire humanitarian crisis and warnings that "mass starvation" was spreading.
After Hamas submitted its response to mediators on the latest ceasefire proposal, Netanyahu's office said Israeli negotiators were returning for consultations.
"We are working to reach another deal for the release of our hostages," Netanyahu said.
"But if Hamas interprets our willingness to reach a deal as a weakness, as an opportunity to dictate surrender terms that would endanger the State of Israel, it is gravely mistaken."
Witkoff accused Hamas of not "acting in good faith", and said the United States was bringing home its team.
Hamas's response "clearly shows a lack of desire to reach a ceasefire in Gaza," Witkoff said on social media.
Washington would now "consider alternative options to bring the hostages home and try to create a more stable environment for the people of Gaza," he added.
Hamas 'bewildered' by Witkoff
Hamas on Friday has responded to Wikoff's allegations that it lacked the will to reach a Gaza ceasefire agreement, saying it was "bewildered" by the US envoy's comments.
In a statement shared on Telegram, Hamas said it made "a sincere commitment to the success of the mediators’ efforts" to reach a deal.
Hamas also said the mediators welcomed its "constructive and positive" position.
“The movement affirms its commitment to completing the negotiations and engaging in them in a way that contributes to overcoming obstacles and reaching a permanent ceasefire agreement.”
A Palestinian source familiar with the talks said Hamas's response included proposed amendments to clauses on the entry of aid, maps of areas from which the Israeli army should withdraw, and guarantees on securing a permanent end to the war.
Israel has refused to support Hamas's guarantee of any ceasefire leading to a long term truce, with Tel Aviv hellbent on continuing its war on the Palestinian enclave.
Israel's war on Gaza, considered by many experts to be genocidal, has killed at least 59,587 Palestinians, the vast majority of whom are innocent civilians.