The indirect negotiations between Israel and the Islamist Hamas movement regarding a ceasefire in the Gaza war were "not going well," Hamas sources told dpa.
"The Israelis are not interested in a ceasefire. They are only interested in the hostage issue and not in a ceasefire," the sources said.
There is currently no official information on the current status of negotiations from either side in the conflict.
After talks in Cairo, Hamas representatives left the Egyptian capital on Monday for consultations with their leadership.
Since Israel and Hamas do not speak to each other directly, the United States, Qatar and Egypt are acting as mediators.
The Wall Street Journal reported on a compromise proposal put forward by the US, citing Arab mediators.
The report said the proposal would involve Hamas releasing 40 of the more than 100 hostages held in the Gaza Strip in exchange for 900 Palestinian prisoners, during a six-week ceasefire.
Israel should in turn allow up to 150,000 displaced Palestinians to return to the north of the coastal area.
Hamas stressed that officials were studying the latest proposal from the mediators and that they would "inform the mediators of its response once discussions are completed."
