GAZA (National Times) A US official has criticised “maximalist” remarks attributed to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on maintaining control of the Gaza-Egypt border, saying it was not helpful to reaching a ceasefire with Hamas, AFP reports.

“Maximalist statements like this are not constructive to getting a ceasefire deal across the finish line,” said the senior official travelling with Secretary of State Antony Blinken in the Middle East, requesting anonymity to talk about sensitive discussions.