Hamas Dismisses Israeli Ceasefire Proposal Amid Ongoing Conflict

In the midst of escalating violence, Hamas has rejected Israel's ceasefire proposal, calling for a comprehensive deal that includes the release of all hostages and Palestinian prisoners.

Hamas has publicly dismissed Israel's latest ceasefire offer, which aimed for a 45-day halt to fighting in exchange for the release of ten hostages. Khalil al-Hayya, Hamas' chief negotiator, stated in a video message that they would not settle for "partial deals" that align with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's political agenda. Currently, 59 hostages remain in captivity, with 24 believed to still be alive.

According to al-Hayya, Hamas is prepared to negotiate the release of all hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners incarcerated by Israel. He voiced skepticism about the current offer, suggesting it serves only to embellish Netanyahu's objectives while continuing what he termed "the war of extermination and starvation."

Recently, Israeli airstrikes resulted in the deaths of at least 37 individuals, primarily displaced civilians residing in makeshift camps within Gaza. Reports indicate that many casualties included children, as a powerful explosion ignited tents, leading to widespread devastation.

Despite Israel's insistence that its military operations aim at dismantling Hamas entirely, the humanitarian situation in Gaza has deteriorated significantly. Aid agencies have reported that the humanitarian aid system is "facing total collapse," a sentiment echoed by leaders of 12 major relief organizations.

The conflict has escalated since October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an incursion into Israeli territories, killing around 1,200 individuals and taking 251 hostages. The ongoing Israeli military campaign has reportedly resulted in at least 51,065 fatalities, according to figures from Gaza's health ministry.

As the violence continues unabated, both sides remain entrenched in their positions with little sign of a potential resolution.