Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the latest ceasefire proposal for Gaza, despite Hamas having formally accepted the plan. According to media reports on Tuesday, Netanyahu insisted that any agreement must include the release of all Israeli hostages held by Hamas in a single phase, an apparent deal breaker in the ongoing negotiations.
The rejected proposal, brokered by Egypt and Qatar with backing from the United States, outlined a 60-day pause in hostilities, a partial repositioning of Israeli forces within Gaza, expanded access for humanitarian aid, and a phased exchange of prisoners between the two sides.
Egyptian diplomatic sources said that Israel is expected to issue its formal response to the proposal by the end of the week, as international and regional mediators intensify efforts to contain the crisis.
Hamas, for its part, welcomed the initiative, describing it as a “first step toward a comprehensive solution” that could de-escalate the conflict and protect Gaza’s civilian population from further displacement.
Observers say Israel’s response will likely determine the trajectory of the next phase, either toward a fragile ceasefire that could lay the groundwork for broader political negotiations or a return to full-scale hostilities if key terms remain unresolved.
The developments come amid a months-long conflict that has devastated the Gaza Strip, killed thousands, displaced large segments of the population, and left the region’s infrastructure in ruins, all while the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate with no clear end in sight.
