As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens, Hamas has reiterated its stance that it will not agree to a ceasefire with Israel unless there is a permanent halt to hostilities and a full withdrawal of Israeli troops from the region. This firm position comes in response to a three-stage proposal put forth by US President Joe Biden, which includes a ceasefire, the release of hostages and prisoners, and the reconstruction of Gaza. Despite the endorsement of the plan by the G7 and Arab powers, Hamas has communicated through its Political Bureau Member Usame el-Hamdan that the conditions must be met before any agreement is reached and has accused Israel of increasing human rights violations against Palestinian prisoners while demanding the release of Palestinians detained since October 7. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, facing pressure from coalition partners, maintains that the war will not end until Israel’s objectives, including the destruction of Hamas, are achieved. Netanyahu’s stance is met with threats from Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who have said they would topple the government if the ceasefire is accepted. The Israeli military continues its operations, with recent airstrikes and shelling in central and southern Gaza killing at least 19 people, including two policemen, and injuring several others. The ongoing conflict, which began last October, has seen over 36,000 Palestinian casualties. Amidst the chaos, some Gazans express hope for the ceasefire proposal, while others remain skeptical of its success.
Key points
- Hamas rejects the US-backed ceasefire proposal without a permanent truce and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
- Israeli airstrikes continue in Gaza, with recent attacks killing at least 19 people.
- Netanyahu faces internal opposition from coalition partners over ceasefire negotiations.
- The conflict has resulted in over 36,000 Palestinian casualties since last October.
Contradictions👾There are conflicting reports about the Israeli government’s position on the ceasefire, with some sources stating Netanyahu has rejected the proposal, while others report he has not yet responded.
