Egypt postponed the hosting of Palestinian reconciliation talks after Israel rebuffed its efforts towards brokering a ceasefire in Gaza Strip.

Fawzi Barhoum, a spokesman for Hamas which controls the Gaza Strip, said Thursday that Egypt was hoping to broker the ceasefire first in order to shift its efforts towards achieving the Palestinian reconciliation.

The sessions of inter-Palestinian dialogue, aimed at reconciling rival Hamas and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement, were due to start in Cairo on February 22.

The postponement followed Israel's decision on Wednesday not to ease Gaza blockade until Hamas releases Gilad Shalit, the soldier who was captured in 2006.

Hamas and the Palestinian National Authority considered the Israeli decision as a blow against the Egyptian efforts which were about to succeed in getting the ceasefire deal accomplished.

Meanwhile, Hamas criticized its Fatah rivals for not taking measures in the West Bank to provide good atmosphere for dialogue.

According to Barhoum, Fatah did not stop media incitement against his movement or release tens of Hamas supporters held by pro-Abbas forces in the West Bank.