By Nidal al-Mughrabi
CAIRO (Reuters) – Palestinian Islamist group Hamas rejected an Israeli ceasefire proposal, saying on Saturday it had handed mediators in Egypt and Qatar its response to the proposal it received last Monday.
After more than six months of war with Israel in Gaza, negotiations remain deadlocked, with Hamas persisting in demanding that any agreement end the war.
“We reaffirm our adherence to our demands and the national demands of our people; with a permanent ceasefire, the withdrawal of the occupying army from the entire Gaza Strip, the return of the displaced to their areas and places of residence, the intensification of the arrival of relief and aid, and the start of reconstruction,” declared the Islamist faction.
Israel wants to secure the return of hostages captured by Hamas in its October 7 attack that sparked the war, but says it will not stop fighting until Hamas is destroyed as a military force. He also says he still plans to carry out an attack on the southern Gaza town of Rafah, where more than a million civilians have sought refuge.
Hamas said on Saturday it was ready to strike a prisoner-for-hostage swap deal with Israel that would see the release of 133 hostages still held in Gaza in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned in Israel.
There has been no official Israeli comment on Hamas’ response.
Hamas’ statement comes days after Israel killed several members of the group’s leader’s family. Ismail Haniyeh in Gaza, raising fears among the hostages’ families that it could derail efforts to secure their release from Gaza.
Speaking to Reuters in Qatar a day after the assassination, Haniyeh said his group was still seeking a deal, but accused Israel of procrastinating and avoiding meeting the group’s demands.
Global calls for a ceasefire have grown as the war enters its seventh month, but there have been few signs of progress in the talks.
Hamas demands an end to the Israeli offensive, the withdrawal of Israeli forces and permission for Palestinians displaced from Gaza to return home.
(Writing and reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi; additional reporting by Adam Makary and Ahmed Tolba; editing by Hugh Lawson)
yahoo
