Israel rejects U.S.-backed Gaza ceasefire deal
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Güneşli
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Güneşli
Israel has rejected a newly proposed ceasefire agreement intended to halt its ongoing military assault on Gaza and secure the release of 10 additional hostages, according to a report aired by state-owned Kan TV on Monday.
The proposal, presented overnight by U.S. mediators, included the release of five living hostages and the return of the remains of five others. It also called for the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza, a 70-day ceasefire, and the initiation of negotiations aimed at reaching a permanent cessation of hostilities.
A senior Israeli official involved in the negotiations told Kan TV that Israel dismissed the proposal, describing it as tantamount to a "surrender to Hamas."
Instead, Israeli officials reiterated their commitment to the so-called Witkoff framework, a ceasefire outline first introduced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in March. That plan calls for the release of more Israeli hostages in exchange for a 50-day truce, with a vague commitment to pursue discussions on a longer-term arrangement. Notably, it excludes two key demands from Hamas: the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and the release of Palestinian prisoners.
The latest round of indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas—intended to bring an end to Israel’s now 19-month-long genocidal campaign in Gaza—ended on Thursday when Prime Minister Netanyahu ordered the Israeli delegation to return home, effectively halting the talks.
Israel had previously suspended a three-phase ceasefire agreement in March after the first two months of relative calm. That truce saw the release of 33 Israeli hostages by Hamas. However, Israel declined to advance to the second phase and soon resumed its military operations.
The humanitarian toll in Gaza continues to escalate. According to Gaza’s health authorities, over 53,000 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict began, with many more injured or displaced.
International mediators, including Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, have been pushing to revive diplomatic efforts to end the bloodshed and secure the release of hostages still believed to be held by Hamas. As of the latest reports, 58 Israeli hostages remain in Gaza. (ILKHA)
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