Israel has reportedly given Hamas a one-week ultimatum to agree to a cease-fire plan on the table or launch an assault on Rafah in southeastern Gaza, according to a Wall Street Journal report today, Holy Saturday (3.5.24).
The report did not make clear when the ultimatum was given, but cited Egyptian officials who spoke today, meaning Hamas would have until next Friday to strike a deal.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been threatening to invade Rafah for months, repeatedly claiming an invasion is imminent.
The WSJ reports that Hamas’ political leadership abroad received the latest proposal green-lighted by Israel last weekend and is expected to arrive in Cairo in the coming days for talks.
However, the organization’s leaders in Gaza, such as Yahya Sinwar, have not yet responded to the proposal, and it is unclear whether they are still aware of it as they are hiding in tunnels under the soil of the Palestinian enclave.
“Sinouar is expected to reject any deal that does not include a credible path to ending the war,” the officials added to the WSJ.
The Arab mediators also said that Sinwar “believes he has already won the war, whether he survives or not, by opening the world’s eyes to the plight of the Palestinians and bringing the conflict in the Gaza Strip to the forefront of world affairs.”
At the same time, according to an Israeli official cited by the Times of Israel, Israel’s cabinet expects Hamas to officially announce its rejection of the proposal.
“The Israeli leadership estimates that Hamas will formally reject the latest offer of hostages and a truce,” the official said, adding that the war Cabinet is already discussing such a scenario, in addition to a possible launch of the looming invasion of the border town of Rafah .
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