Israel’s PM Netanyahu has rejected Hamas’ proposed ceasefire terms & hostage release agreement calling them “delusional.” Hamas had proposed 135-day truce & Israeli pull-out.

Hamas had laid out a series of demands in response to an Israel-backed ceasefire. Talks are continuing to reach a possible deal with active involvement of Qatar & Egypt. Qatar had described Hamas’ response as positive.

“There is no other solution but a complete and final victory,” Bibi said, adding, “if Hamas survives in Gaza, it’s only a question of time till the next massacre.”

𝐇𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐚𝐥:
– Phase One: A 45-day pause in fighting during which all Israeli hostages, males under 19, the elderly & sick would be exchanged for Palestinian women & children in Israeli jails. Israeli forces would withdraw from the populated areas of Gaza, and the reconstruction of hospitals & refugee camps would begin.
– Phase Two: Remaining male Israeli hostages would be exchanged for all Palestinian detainees over the age of 50, including senior militants. Israel would release an additional 1,500 prisoners 500 of whom would be specified by Hamas & Israeli forces leave Gaza completely.
– Phase Three: Both sides would exchange remains of hostages & prisoners.

The proposed deal would see deliveries of food & aid to Gaza increase. By the end of 135 day pause in fighting, Hamas said negotiations to end the war would have concluded.

Anthony Blinken on his fifth visit to the region since the war began, is trying to advance the ceasefire talks while pushing for a larger post-war settlement in which Saudi Arabia would normalise relations with Israel in return for a “clear, credible, time-bound path to the establishment of a Palestinian state.” Netanyahu’s stance highlights the continuing fundamental mismatch between the US and Israeli plans.

Saudi Arabia said, “The Kingdom has communicated to the US that that there will be no diplomatic relations with Israel unless an independent Palestinian state is recognised on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital… Israeli aggression in Gaza must stop & all Israeli forces must withdraw from the besieged territory.” Saudi Arabia, home to Islam’s holiest sites, has never recognised Israel & did not join the 2020 US-assisted Abraham Accords that saw Bahrain, The UAE & Morocco establish formal ties with Israel.

Around 27,700 Palestinians have been killed & >65,000 injured in Israeli retaliatory offensive after Hamas attacks on southern Israel killed nearly 1,300, with many injured & taken hostages.

BBC sums up, “The urgent question now is whether something can be salvaged to keep these talks going to achieve another exchange of hostages & prisoners, & a desperately needed humanitarian pause, to allow more aid into Gaza Strip.”

Disclaimer: The article has reference to open sources including Reuters, BBC, TOI, Al Akhbar & The Hindu. Image: BBCActivate to view larger image,