In a statement that they have received the Israeli proposal, the Islamist group does not say anything regarding the details of the proposal or what conditions are set. In the past, Israel has demanded that all the hostages taken during Hamas’ attack on Israel on 7 October be released.
After the attack, Israel went to war on the besieged Gaza Strip, a war that has so far cost over 34,000 people their lives.
Several media outlets say that Israel sees the latest effort to establish a ceasefire as a “last chance” before a planned attack on Rafah, the southernmost part of the Gaza Strip, on the border with Egypt.
An Israeli official describes talks between Israeli and Egyptian representatives on Friday as very good and focused. The Egyptians are said to be intent on putting pressure on Hamas to reach an agreement.
The Israeli official is quoted in the Times of Israel as saying that Israel will not allow Hamas – especially its leader in the Gaza Strip, Yahya Sinwar – to work out a hostage deal to avoid an offensive on Rafah.
– This is the last chance before we enter Rafah. The choice is between a future agreement and Rafah, says the official.
Over a million people have fled the fighting elsewhere in the Gaza Strip and sought refuge in Rafah.
#Hamas #Israel #ceasefire #proposal
2024-04-27 20:56:31