Hamas Agrees to US-Backed Ceasefire Deal, Israel Rejects Terms

Tel Aviv: Israel has refused to accept the US proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza. A senior Israeli official has said that the new ceasefire and hostage agreement is unacceptable to any Israeli government. He said that such conditions have been imposed by Hamas for the ceasefire, which will weaken Israel's war goals and ability to release hostages. Hamas has agreed to the ceasefire but Israel's refusal has again weakened the hope of stopping the war in Gaza. The war has been going on in Gaza since October 2023. The war has caused more than 53 thousand deaths in Gaza and caused heavy destruction.

According to the report of Ynet, the Israeli official says that this agreement is like surrendering to Hamas. The agreement has conditions like releasing only five live hostages on the first day and releasing five more hostages after 60 days. Apart from this, there is a condition for Israel to withdraw its army to the position it was two months ago under the supervision of America and to provide extensive humanitarian aid to Gaza. Hamas has also demanded the signature of its senior officer Khalil al-Hayya and Witkoff on the agreement.

We will not listen to Hamas

The Israeli official said, 'Hamas will decide whether we will get five more hostages after two months or not, we will also have to appease for the bodies of our people. No Israeli government will agree to this. These conditions are different from the framework of the talks started by Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff, to which Israel is committed.

This ceasefire draft was prepared by US special envoy Steve Witkoff. This includes the release of ten Israeli hostages in two groups in exchange for a 70-day ceasefire and partial withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip. This proposal was sent to the Palestinian faction Hamas through mediators. Israel was also asked for its opinion on this.

A Palestinian official close to Hamas told Reuters on Monday that Hamas has agreed to the new ceasefire proposal sent by US special envoy Steve Witkoff. After Hamas' consent, Israel's response was awaited. Israel has refused to accept it.