Hamas military leader Yahya Sinwar from an i24 video clip

Sinwar Says No: Hamas Rejects Another Ceasefire Offer

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The Judean Staff
National

Hamas has declined an Israeli ceasefire offer, according to statements released on Saturday. The group conveyed its refusal through mediators in Egypt and Qatar, responding to a proposal initially presented last Monday. Israel has characterized this response as a rejection, suggesting that Hamas is leveraging the ongoing regional tensions with Iran to its advantage.

The conflict, which has persisted for over six months, sees both parties holding firm on their demands. Hamas insists on a complete ceasefire and requires the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. Their demands also include allowing displaced Palestinians to return to their homes, increasing relief and aid deliveries, and initiating reconstruction efforts in the war-torn region.

Conversely, Israel’s primary objective is the safe return of hostages taken by Hamas during the October 7 attack that reignited hostilities. Israel remains committed to a military strategy aimed at decisively crippling Hamas as a combat force and plans an offensive in Rafah, a southern Gaza city now sheltering over a million civilians.

On the topic of hostages, Hamas has expressed willingness to engage in a prisoner exchange, proposing to release 133 hostages in return for the release of numerous Palestinians currently incarcerated in Israel.

The Israeli government, articulating its position through the Prime Minister’s Office and the Mossad, which has spearheaded the negotiations, interprets Hamas’s refusal as a lack of interest in a humanitarian resolution. This stance is perceived as an attempt by Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar to exacerbate regional tensions, particularly with Iran, which has recently escalated to direct confrontations involving missile attacks on Israel.

Negotiations, which began on April 7 in Cairo, have yet to yield any significant progress towards a peace agreement despite the efforts of US, Qatari, and Egyptian mediators. The conflict, now in its seventh month, was triggered by a deadly cross-border attack by Hamas, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 individuals and the abduction of 253 people.

Amidst these strained negotiations, the situation was further complicated by an Israeli operation that resulted in the deaths of several family members of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh. This incident has raised concerns about potential impacts on the ongoing efforts to secure the release of hostages.

As global calls for a ceasefire increase, both parties appear entrenched in their positions, with little indication of a forthcoming resolution. Israel continues to demand the return of all hostages, the remains of soldiers killed and captured in 2014, and two Israeli citizens who previously entered Gaza voluntarily.

This ongoing impasse highlights the complex interplay of military, humanitarian, and political challenges facing the region, underscoring the difficulties in achieving a ceasefire and moving towards lasting peace.

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