(NewsWorthy.news) – Hamas has accepted a temporary ceasefire offer worked on by Egypt, Qatar and U.S. mediators as concerns mount about both Israeli hostages held in Gaza and the Israeli regime’s planned assault on Rafah.
Basem Naim, the organization’s head of political and international relations, confirmed that Hamas had spoken to mediators from Egypt and Qatar and accepted the proposal. Israel has agreed to send a delegation to participate in the ceasefire negotiations. Tel Aviv has also stated, however, that the “softened” proposal is far from meeting Israel’s needs, and branded Hamas’ choice to accept the deal a “ruse.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office released a statement in Hebrew stressing its dissatisfaction with the proposed ceasefire, and Tel Aviv has clarified that it will still proceed with its planned offensive on Gaza’s southern city of Rafah, which it considers the last remaining stronghold of Hamas. The Israeli regime’s demands that Rafah’s civilians evacuate the city have faced criticism and been described as “inhumane” by U.N. officials. Israel’s wartime Cabinet decided unanimously to carry on with the planned assault.
CIA chief William Burns arranged to meet with Netanyahu after the Israeli Prime Minister was accused by an Israeli official of “torpedoing” negotiations for a ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages. Netanyahu dismissed the allegations, calling them “desperate deception” on the part of the public. Israel accused Hamas of impending negotiations with “extreme” demands, but the unnamed official claimed that Netanyahu’s hardline stance on the planned Rafah offensive forced Hamas to ramp up its demands in the hostage and ceasefire talks.
Full details of the proposed truce have not been publicly revealed by mediators. The deal is expected to allow for a pause of six to eight weeks in the conflict, which could allow Hamas to free the remaining Israeli hostages, beginning with the most vulnerable of the 133 still held in Gaza. In return it is expected that Israel will release an undisclosed amount of Palestinian prisoners held in its prisons, as well as withdrawing its forces from some parts of Gaza. Advocates for the ceasefire are hopeful that the truce would allow Palestinians to relocate from southern parts of Gaza to the north, and that much needed humanitarian aid would be allowed to enter the Gaza strip.
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