Hamas has formally rejected the latest ceasefire offer by Israel, instead demanding a complete deal involving a complete prisoner exchange and an end to the war in Gaza in full. The organization announced that it would only consider a truce if all its demands were fulfilled in a one-package agreement.
The dismissal is in the midst of continued global pressure for a humanitarian ceasefire as civilian deaths escalate and Gaza experiences growing destruction. The mediators, such as Qatar and Egypt, have been laboring day and night to have both sides return to negotiations.
Israel’s offer allegedly involved a gradual ceasefire and selective prisoner release, but Hamas demands a complete Israeli withdrawal and the release of all Palestinian captives in one package. Negotiations are stuck at a dead-end since both sides refuse to budge on their conditions.
The crisis continues to cause apprehension about regional stability and humanitarian consequences, particularly with Ramadan and Eid having been recently celebrated under the specter of war.
