A senior Hamas official has dismissed a new U.S. proposal aimed at establishing a ceasefire and facilitating hostage exchanges, stating it fails to address key Palestinian demands for ending hostilities.
**Hamas Rejects New U.S. Ceasefire Proposal Amid Ongoing Conflict**
**Hamas Rejects New U.S. Ceasefire Proposal Amid Ongoing Conflict**
Amidst escalating violence, Hamas rebuffs the latest U.S.-backed ceasefire plan proposed for Gaza.
Following the recent intensification of conflict in Gaza, a senior representative of Hamas announced that the group's leadership would not accept the latest ceasefire proposal put forward by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff. This proposal, supposedly backed by Israel, sought the return of hostages held by Hamas in exchange for a 60-day pause in military operations. Despite the U.S. government confirming Israel's approval, Hamas asserts the deal is inadequate.
The White House indicated that Israel had agreed to the plan, which reportedly includes the release of ten living hostages and the remains of eighteen individuals killed during the conflict. However, the Hamas official argued that the offer does not meet their fundamental demands, including an end to the ongoing military offensive against Gaza.
Israel's operations against Hamas resumed on March 18 after a prior two-month ceasefire, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu highlighting the ongoing threats posed by the group. As of recent updates, nearly 4,000 fatalities have been reported in Gaza due to the conflict, with the United Nations raising alarms over the humanitarian situation, including widespread displacement and severe food shortages.
In a media briefing, U.S. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the submission of the ceasefire plan to Hamas and expressed hopes for a resolution that would enable the safe return of all hostages. Yet, officials from Hamas contended that the current negotiations contradicted prior agreements and lacked assurances for lasting peace.
Despite the rejection, Hamas reaffirmed its willingness to engage in discussions with mediators. The conflict originally ignited after a cross-border operation by Hamas in October 2023, which resulted in extensive casualties. Up to this point, Israel has obtained the release of 197 hostages through temporary ceasefires, while the toll in Gaza continues to rise amid ongoing military actions.
