Washington: US President Donald Trump's special envoy for the Middle East has placed the blame squarely on Hamas for the renewed fighting in Gaza, while reiterating Washington's unwavering support for Israel.

According to Anadolu Agency, Steve Witkoff, speaking on Fox News Sunday, asserted that Hamas had ample opportunities to prevent further escalation in the region. Witkoff noted that Hamas could have chosen to demilitarize and accept a bridging proposal that would have facilitated a 40- or 50-day ceasefire, allowing discussions on demilitarization and a final truce. However, he stated, "There were all kinds of opportunities to do that, and they elected not to."

Despite the ongoing hostilities, Witkoff emphasized that the US remains open to diplomatic engagement with Hamas. "Would we be amenable to a reach-out from Hamas? Of course, we would be - no different than in the Russian conflict (in Ukraine). We want to end the killing, but we need to be clear who the aggressor is here, and that is Hamas," he added.

The conflict intensified after the Israeli military resumed heavy strikes on Gaza on March 18, following the breakdown of a ceasefire that had been in place since January 19. Since the resumption of attacks, more than 670 Palestinians have been killed, the majority being women, children, and the elderly, while over 1,200 others have sustained injuries.

Recent statistics reveal that since October 7, 2023, Israeli attacks on Gaza have resulted in the deaths of at least 50,021 Palestinians and injuries to 113,274 others. In response to the broken ceasefire, Israel announced plans to escalate military action against Hamas, dismissing any new cease-fire proposals.

Hamas, on the other hand, has accused Israel of reneging on its commitments to mediating nations and resuming what it describes as a genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. This latest offensive by Israel occurs amid internal political turmoil, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's contentious dismissal of Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar.