Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has firmly rejected the ceasefire terms proposed by Hamas, asserting that achieving “total victory” in Gaza remains a viable goal within a matter of months.
Netanyahu’s remarks came following Hamas’s presentation of a set of demands in response to a ceasefire proposal supported by Israel. Speaking at a news conference on Wednesday, he dismissed negotiations with the group as fruitless and labeled their terms as “bizarre.”
“There is no other solution but a complete and final victory,” Netanyahu asserted, emphasizing his commitment to decisive action. He warned that allowing Hamas to persist in Gaza would inevitably lead to further violence.
Israel’s reaction to Hamas’s counter-offer is not merely a point of contention; it represents a categorical rejection. Israeli officials view Hamas’s attempt to dictate terms for ending the conflict as unacceptable.
In response to Netanyahu’s statements, senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri characterized them as “political bravado,” suggesting that the Israeli leader is intent on prolonging the conflict.
Meanwhile, Egyptian officials have indicated that mediation efforts, facilitated by Egypt and Qatar, are set to continue with a new round of negotiations scheduled for Thursday in Cairo. Egypt has called on all parties involved to demonstrate the flexibility necessary for reaching a peaceful resolution.
Netanyahu’s outright dismissal of what he described as a “delusional” plan stands in stark contrast to the perspective offered by Qatar, which characterized Hamas’s response as “positive.”
Hamas presented its counter-offer to the ceasefire proposal on Tuesday, outlining a phased approach that included the exchange of hostages and prisoners, as well as the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The current conflict, which erupted on October 7 last year, has claimed the lives of approximately 1,300 people in southern Israel. The toll on the Palestinian side, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, includes over 27,700 fatalities and at least 65,000 injuries.
In a related development, Netanyahu confirmed on Wednesday that Israeli forces have been directed to prepare for operations in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where tens of thousands of Palestinians have sought refuge from the fighting. The prospect of an expanded military incursion into Rafah has raised concerns about exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation in the city.
The Israeli leader’s stance underscores the ongoing divergence between the approaches of the United States and Israel toward Gaza’s future. While Washington advocates for a resolution that includes the establishment of a Palestinian state, Netanyahu insists on maintaining Israeli security control over Gaza.
As negotiations continue, the urgent question remains whether a compromise can be reached to secure the release of hostages, facilitate the delivery of aid, and alleviate the suffering of civilians in Gaza.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
