On May 6, 2024, an Israeli official stated that despite Hamas claiming to have accepted mediation proposals from Egypt and Qatar regarding the Israel-Gaza conflict, a ceasefire agreement in Gaza has not yet been reached.
The Israeli official informed Reuters that the proposal accepted by Hamas is a “softened” version of Egypt’s proposal, including contents that have “far-reaching” implications that Israel cannot accept.
The unnamed Israeli official said, “This seems to be a maneuver aimed at making Israel appear as the party refusing to reach an agreement.”
Earlier, Hamas announced that its leader, Ismail Haniyeh, had informed mediators from Qatar and Egypt that the organization accepted their ceasefire proposal, but details of the agreement were not disclosed.
Since the ceasefire last November, efforts to reach a new ceasefire agreement in Gaza have not been successful.
Prior to Hamas announcing the agreement, Israel ordered the evacuation of Palestinian civilians in parts of Rafah as a large-scale attack loomed closer. This evacuation order came as ceasefire negotiations in Cairo stalled. In recent days, Egyptian and Hamas officials have mentioned that the ceasefire will be implemented in stages. During this period, Hamas will release its detained hostages in exchange for Israel withdrawing from Gaza.
On October 7 last year, Hamas launched an attack in southern Israel, reportedly resulting in at least 1,200 deaths and 253 people being taken hostage. In response, Israel initiated an attack on Gaza to eliminate the radical Palestinian organization Hamas. Approximately 130 hostages are believed to still be held by Hamas in Gaza.
US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated on Monday that the US is reviewing Hamas’ response to the ceasefire and hostage proposals and “engaging in discussions with our partners in the region.” He said that a ceasefire is “absolutely achievable.”
According to Reuters, US President Joe Biden pressured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday to cease the large-scale military offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.
The White House stated that Biden reiterated his “clear position on Rafah,” saying that the offensive should not continue unless Israel demonstrates how it will protect the hundreds of thousands of Palestinian civilians in the area.
“Biden presented to the Prime Minister the latest efforts to reach a hostage agreement, including the talks taking place today in Doha, Qatar,” the White House said. “The Prime Minister agreed to ensure the Kerem Shalom crossing is open to provide humanitarian aid to those in need.”
The Kerem Shalom crossing is located near Rafah.
Biden expressed that a ceasefire with Hamas is the best way to protect the lives of the Israeli hostages in Gaza.
Netanyahu stated on Monday that striking Rafah (Israel believes Rafah is Hamas’ last significant stronghold in Gaza) is crucial to preventing armed militants from rebuilding military capabilities, avoiding a repeat of the October 7 attack on Israel, and triggering war.
Colonel Nadav Shoshani, a military spokesperson, stated that around 100,000 people were ordered to move from parts of Rafah to the humanitarian zone announced by Israel in Muwasi, a temporary coastal camp equipped with tents, food, water, and a field hospital.