Washington, March 23 -- US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff has accused Hamas of sparking renewed fighting in Gaza, rejecting efforts to move forward with an "acceptable deal."

Witkoff emphasised that Hamas had the opportunity to demilitarize and accept a bridging proposal but chose not to.

"So this is on Hamas. The United States stands with Israel," Al Jazeera reported citing Witkoff's statement on Fox News. "Hamas is the aggressor here."

The proposed "bridge" plan aimed to extend the truce into April, allowing time for negotiations beyond the holidays of Ramadan and Passover.

According to Al Jazeera, the proposed "bridge" plan for the Gaza ceasefire, presented last week, aimed to extend the truce into April, allowing time for negotiation...