Netanyahu rejects new ceasefire deal from Hamas
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (photo: Getty Images)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected yet another ceasefire deal with the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, reports Reuters.
In a statement from the office of the Israeli Prime Minister, it was noted that a new Gaza truce proposal presented by the Islamist group Hamas to mediators on Thursday was still based on unrealistic demands.
"An update on the issue will be presented to the war cabinet and extended security cabinet on Friday," the statement said.
What Hamas proposes
The Palestinian movement presented a comprehensive vision of a ceasefire agreement to intermediaries. It is based on ending Israeli aggression against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, providing assistance, returning displaced Palestinians to their homes, and withdrawing Israeli Defense Forces from the region.
Hamas' statement also includes the group's position on a prisoner and hostage exchange agreement, but detailed information on it is lacking.
Israeli media reported on Thursday evening that Tel Aviv maintains cautious optimism regarding the agreement.
Israel-Hamas war
After the terrorist attack by Hamas militants on Israel on October 7, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched a ground military operation in the Gaza Strip, which is ongoing.
On February 8, Netanyahu stated that the IDF's full victory is imminent. He also announced the readiness of the IDF to begin a ground invasion of the city of Rafah near the border with Egypt in the southern Gaza Strip.
At the same time, the parties have been trying for a long time to achieve a ceasefire for the exchange of prisoners and the release of hostages from both sides.
On Tuesday, March 12, a representative of Hamas militants announced that the group had accepted a modified version of the American proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza. Representatives of the movement planned to travel to Cairo in the coming days to discuss final details and implement the agreement.
Before this, Bloomberg reported that a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel remains elusive. US President Joe Biden warned Israel against invading the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.
However, on March 13, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) struck the central food distribution center in the eastern part of Rafah. One person was killed, and 22 others were injured. The IDF claimed to have eliminated a Hamas commander.
