Talks in Cairo aimed at reaching a lasting truce between Israel and the Palestinians have broken down. Israel said it withdrew its team as a result of rockets fired by Palestinian militants. But Palestinian negotiator Azzam al-Ahmed blamed Israel for the breakdown of the talks.

Azzam al-Ahmed: “Despite the collapse of the calm period a few hours ago, it was preceded by the Israeli delegation leaving at around 4 p.m., which is evidence of a decision by the Israeli prime minister, Netanyahu, and it was declared that he was the one that ordered them to leave Cairo. Israel announced the collapse of the negotiations when we were still negotiating through the Egyptian mediator. This is evidence that the decision was premeditated to foil the negotiations and destroy the calm period from the Israeli party’s side.”