CAIRO. Hamas, the Palestinian militant group governing Gaza, has reportedly turned down an Israeli proposal for a seven-day truce in the Gaza Strip, coupled with the release of around 40 hostages, including women, children, and elderly male hostages in need of urgent medical care. According to Egyptian officials cited by the Wall Street Journal, the rejected offer also included a temporary cessation of air and ground operations by Israel, allowing increased aid into the coastal territory.
Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, another Iran-backed terror organization participating in the negotiations for the first time, conveyed to Egyptian mediators that Israel must halt its offensive in the Strip before any potential deal discussions. Additionally, Islamic Jihad insisted that Israel release all Palestinian prisoners in exchange for all remaining hostages, estimated to be around 100 individuals.
Israel has stated that it will not suspend its military campaign, considering this condition a non-negotiable starting point for talks. The rejection by Hamas is seen by Egyptian officials as a strategic move to extract further concessions from Israel, rather than a failure in the ongoing negotiations.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Egyptian intelligence officials discussed the offer with Hamas politburo chief Ismail Haniyeh, who arrived in Cairo on Wednesday. Haniyeh’s visit is his second since the brutal October 7 onslaught initiated by Hamas, which triggered the ongoing conflict.
Hamas leaders have publicly stated that they will only consider releasing hostages in exchange for a permanent ceasefire. However, recent reports suggest that discussions for another short-term truce to release additional hostages may be progressing. The October 7 attack by Hamas involved thousands of gunmen entering Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 casualties and the abduction of around 240 hostages, mostly civilians.
As of now, it is believed that 129 hostages remain in Gaza, with the Reuters news agency reporting “intensive” talks for a ceasefire and hostage release brokered by Qatar and Egypt. While the U.S. President, Joe Biden, stated that there is no expectation of an imminent hostage deal, his administration continues to push for a resolution. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized that the main obstacle to an agreement is Hamas, which has not adhered to the terms of the previous ceasefire. Despite international calls for an end to the conflict, Blinken urged attention to be directed toward Hamas’s actions and the need for the group to cease hostilities for a peaceful resolution.
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.
