Hamas Rejects Israeli Ceasefire Proposal

Hamas has firmly rejected an Israeli ceasefire proposal, saying, it is insufficient in meeting the demands of Palestinian factions. 

The announcement was made by Hamas on Tuesday, following talks mediated by Qatar and Egypt. 

Hamas officials said that the proposed ceasefire, described as “intransigent,” failed to address key issues raised by the Palestinian side. 

Despite this rejection, Hamas stated that it would review the proposal further before delivering its response to the mediators.

The rejection comes amidst escalating tensions, with reports indicating Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu setting a date for a potential invasion of Rafah, Gaza’s last refuge for displaced Palestinians.

The Israeli proposal was presented during talks in Cairo, which also involved Qatari and Egyptian mediators, as well as CIA Director William Burns representing the United States.

Senior Hamas official Ali Baraka underscored the need for the rejection of the proposals, affirming the decision following a meeting of the Hamas politburo. 
Another Hamas official, speaking on condition of anonymity, echoed the sentiment, stating that no progress had been made in the negotiations, citing the unchanged position of Israel.

Israel, on its part, expressed eagerness to secure a prisoners-for-hostages deal, seeking the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. 

However, Israeli authorities reiterated their stance on the military offensive, indicating a reluctance to cease operations until an invasion of Rafah is conducted.

Hamas has outlined its demands for any agreement, including an end to the Israeli military offensive, withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and the repatriation of displaced Palestinians to their homes. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed the government’s commitment to achieving its objectives, emphasizing the release of hostages and the neutralization of Hamas forces in Rafah. 

“We are constantly working to achieve our goals, and the release of all our hostages and achieving a complete victory over Hamas.