US‑led ceasefire in Gaza faces Hamas rejection
The United States' proposal for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, accepted by Israel, "does not meet our people's demands," stated Bassem Naim, a Hamas leader, on Thursday evening.
What do you need to know?
- Ceasefire Proposal: The United States has proposed a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, which Israel has accepted.
- Hamas Reaction: Bassem Naim from Hamas mentioned that the proposal does not satisfy the Palestinians' demands as it does not terminate the occupation or alleviate their suffering.
- Next Steps: Hamas is evaluating the proposal "with a sense of responsibility and patriotism, considering a response."
Why does Hamas reject the ceasefire proposal?
The response of the occupier (Israel-PAP) essentially means the continuation of occupation, killings, and hunger, even during the temporary ceasefire, and it does not fulfill any of our people's demands, including ending the war and suffering, said Naim.
He added that "the leadership of the movement is studying, with a great sense of responsibility and patriotism, how to respond to this proposal."
What are the conditions of the ceasefire?
On Thursday in Washington, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt announced that President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff presented Hamas with a ceasefire proposal, which Israel has approved and supported. She added that Israel signed this proposal before it was sent to Hamas, and discussions are ongoing.
Witkoff's plan envisions a 60-day ceasefire in exchange for Hamas releasing 10 live hostages and handing over the bodies of 18 deceased captives. Israel would also release 125 Palestinians serving life sentences, as well as 1,111 individuals detained in the Gaza Strip after the war broke out and hand over the bodies of 180 killed Palestinians.
What next with the negotiations?
During the ceasefire, negotiations on permanently ending the war are expected to occur, but the agreement would guarantee Israel the right to resume military actions if the talks fail.
Israeli media reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced readiness for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, based on the latest American proposal.
