Gaza City - The Islamic Palestinian Hamas movement on Saturday denied the resumption of Egypt's efforts to broker a ceasefire between Israel and militant groups in the Gaza Strip.

"There is nothing new regarding the lull," said Fawzi Barhoum, a spokesman for Hamas, which controls Gaza.

His comments followed reports that Egypt had asked the Palestinian factions to study the possibility of reaching a new ceasefire with Israel.

In June 2008, Egypt brokered a six-month truce between the Palestinian militant groups and Israel in the Gaza Strip. Egypt has been hosting reconciliation talks between Hamas and its rival Fatah. (dpa)