Hamas and Israel Clash Over Ceasefire Proposal Amid Ongoing Hostilities

CAIRO, Egypt – A Palestinian official announced on Monday that Hamas has accepted a proposed ceasefire for Gaza from U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. This announcement came as an Israeli official denied the claim, stating no Israeli government could accept it.

According to the Palestinian source, the proposal includes the release of 10 Israeli hostages and a 70-day ceasefire in exchange for a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. It also entails the release of several Palestinian prisoners, including those serving long sentences.

Witkoff himself denied that Hamas had agreed to his proposal, calling their acceptance “completely unacceptable.” He clarified that the specifics discussed were different from what Hamas claimed.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his hopes in a social media message that developments regarding the hostages and the ongoing fight against Hamas would be announced soon.

The background of this tension lies in a renewed military campaign launched by Israel in Gaza on March 18, 2023, after lifting a previous ceasefire. In the wake of the campaign, Hamas launched retaliatory attacks, including rocket fire, resulting in civilian casualties on both sides.

As of now, the conflict has led to the deaths of nearly 54,000 Palestinians, according to health authorities in Gaza, while Israeli casualties from the initial Hamas attacks are reported at 1,200, with 251 hostages taken.

In a more recent development, Netanyahu stated his commitment to bring back remaining hostages and emphasized the goal of complete erasure of Hamas as a fighting force. He expressed that all options would be pursued, with time frames ranging from today to later.

Palestinians in Gaza, meanwhile, continue to face dire conditions under Israeli bombardments and blockades, leading to severe shortages of food and medical aid, as humanitarian organizations warn of widespread malnutrition.

Amid the worsening situation, the focus remains on potential agreements that could lead to a ceasefire, with the future of many lives hanging in the balance.