Hamas says it has submitted its response to Egyptian and Qatari mediators on a proposed truce with Israel in the Gaza Strip. Without explicitly rejecting the content of the project, Hamas insists on a permanent ceasefire.
The emissaries of Israel and Hamas met last Sunday in Cairo with those of Egypt, Qatar and the United States for yet another attempt at indirect negotiation. Until now, the protagonists had not clearly responded to their proposed agreement providing for the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian detainees, accompanied by an increase in humanitarian aid.. Israel opposes a Permanent ceasefire and a complete withdrawal of its armed forces from the Gaza strip, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying he is determined to launch a ground offensive in Rafah, in the far south of the territory. Palestinian, which he presents as the last great bastion of Hamas, has been in power since 2007 in the Gazan Strip. Netanyahu accused Hamas of being “the only obstacle” to an agreement that could “allow the release” of the hostages.