Hamas sends a signal that a breakthrough is unlikely in negotiations

A Hamas official said on Tuesday that the group will not take part in the round of cease-fire talks on Thursday, sending a strong signal that any breakthrough in negotiations was still elusive even as the United States, Qatar and Egypt were stepping up pressure on Hamas and Israel to reach a deal.

Ahmad Abdul Hadi, Hamas’s representative in Lebanon, said in an interview that Hamas had decided not to participate in the talks because its leaders do not think the Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has been negotiating in good faith.

“Netanyahu is not interested in reaching an agreement that ends the aggression completely,” Mr. Abdul Hadi said. “But rather he is deceiving and evading and wants to prolong the war, and even expand it at the regional level.”