Hamas agrees to ceasefire but not disarm, Israel rejects reconciliation proposal

Hamas leader in Gaza Khalil al-Hayya said that Hamas received a new proposal from Egyptian mediators two days ago and agreed.

Palestinians walk past the rubble of buildings destroyed during an attack in Gaza City, March 28. (Source: AFP)

Mr al-Hayya's statement came after media reports that the movement had agreed to release five Israeli hostages in exchange for a 50-day ceasefire and the release of Palestinian prisoners.

“We have received the proposal from the mediators and we have agreed,” al-Hayya said in a televised speech. However, he insisted that Hamas would not disarm if Israel continued to occupy Palestinian territories. He is also Hamas’s chief negotiator in indirect negotiations with Israel.

Earlier on March 27, security sources revealed that Egypt had received a positive signal from Israel about a ceasefire proposal that includes a transition period. The proposal requires Hamas to release five Israeli hostages each week. The Israeli Prime Minister's Office said Tel Aviv had held consultations on the proposal and sent an alternative plan in coordination with the US.

Hamas' statement came amid escalating conflict in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli army has resumed military operations in the Palestinian territory, resulting in many deaths.

On the same day, the Israel Defense Forces announced that they had launched a ground operation in the city of Rafah to expand the security buffer zone in southern Gaza. In a statement on Telegram, the force said that Israeli soldiers entered the Al Janina area in Rafah to carry out this mission.

Earlier today, March 30, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office submitted a counter-proposal to the proposal put forward by the mediators.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/phong-trao-hamas-dong-y-ngung-ban-nhung-khong-giai-giap-israel-phan-bien-de-xuat-hoa-giai-309351.html