**Hamas Rejects US Ceasefire Plan Backed by Israel**
In a move that could escalate the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Hamas has announced that it will reject a new ceasefire proposal put forward by the United States and backed by Israel. The plan, which was reportedly agreed to by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, would have seen Hamas release 10 living hostages and the bodies of 18 dead hostages in exchange for a 60-day ceasefire and the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.
According to the White House, US envoy Steve Witkoff had presented the proposal to Hamas, which Israel had “signed off” on. However, a senior Hamas official told the BBC that the group would not accept the plan because it did not meet their core demands, including an end to the war and a guarantee of a permanent ceasefire.
The Israeli government has not commented publicly on the rejection of the proposal, but Netanyahu’s office released a statement earlier in the week saying that Israel would only agree to end the war when all hostages were released, Hamas was either destroyed or disarmed, and its leaders had been sent into exile. Hamas, on the other hand, has said it is willing to return all hostages held captive in exchange for a complete end to hostilities and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
The conflict in Gaza has been ongoing since October 2023, with Israel launching a military campaign against Hamas after a cross-border attack that killed about 1,200 people. The war has resulted in the deaths of at least 54,249 people, including 3,986 since Israel resumed its offensive. Over 600,000 people have been displaced by Israeli ground operations and evacuation orders.
**Background and Context**
The conflict in Gaza has been ongoing for months, with both sides trading blame and accusations. The humanitarian situation in Gaza has become increasingly dire, with reports of widespread hunger and food shortages. The UN has warned that about 500,000 people face catastrophic levels of hunger in the coming months, while over 4,000 people have been killed in Gaza since Israel resumed its military campaign.
The rejection of the US ceasefire plan by Hamas is a significant development, as it suggests that the conflict may not be resolved through diplomatic means. The implications of this rejection are far-reaching and could lead to further escalation of violence between Israel and Hamas.
**What’s Next?**
As the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, it remains unclear what will happen next. The Israeli government has maintained its stance that the war will only end when all hostages are released and Hamas is either destroyed or disarmed. Meanwhile, Hamas has reiterated its willingness to return all hostages held captive in exchange for a complete end to hostilities and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
One thing is certain: the people of Gaza are paying the highest price for this conflict, with thousands dead, wounded, or displaced. The international community must continue to push for a peaceful resolution to this crisis, as the humanitarian situation continues to worsen by the day.
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