Hamas, according to sources from Al Jazeera, agreed to the US proposal for a ceasefire brought by the US for Gaza, but American officials rejected the claim, saying the deal being debated was “unacceptable” and “disappointing.”
Israeli officials also denied the proposal came from the US, and said Monday that the Israeli government could not accept it, according to Reuters.
Conflict reports have been brought as Israeli forces continued to maintain relentless bombardment of the hungry Palestinians in Gaza, and continued to severely restrict aid invasion into the besieged enclaves.
At least 81 people, including many children, were killed in Israeli attacks on Monday alone, according to medical sources.
A source in Al Jazeera said Hamas and the US Middle Eastern envoy Steve Witkov agreed to the draft deal at a meeting in Qatar’s capital Doha. They said it includes two stages of a 60-day ceasefire and the release of 10 living prisoners of war held in Gaza.
US President Donald Trump guarantees terms of the contract and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. The agreement also allows humanitarian admission without any conditions from day one, sources said.
However, Witkov rejected the notion that Hamas accepted an offer to trade prisoners and ceasefires, telling Reuters that what he saw was “completely unacceptable.”
A US source close to Witkov also told Al Jazeera that Hamas’ claims were “inaccurate” and that his deal with Palestinian groups was “unfortunate.”
New red line
Reported from Washington, D.C., Al Jazeera’s Kimberly Halkett said US officials have said the proposal on the table was merely a “temporary ceasefire agreement” with Israel.
“What this does is allow half of the living prisoners and half of the deceased to be returned,” she said.
“In turn, the White House believes this will lead to a path of diplomatic debate that could lead to a permanent ceasefire, and this is a deal sources telling that Al Jazeera is something Hamas should take,” she added.
There were no immediate comments from Hamas.
Meanwhile, in Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a message recorded on social media, pledging to reclaim the 58 remaining Israeli prisoners of war in Gaza.
“If we don’t achieve that today, we’ll achieve it tomorrow, and if not tomorrow, the next day, we’re not giving up,” Netanyahu said.
“We’re going to get them all back, creatures and dead,” he added.
Israeli leaders did not mention the proposed deal.
Hamda Sulf of Al Jazeera reported from the Jordanian capital Amman, saying that Netanyahu has long rejected Hamas’ call for a lasting ceasefire in Gaza and has pledged to continue the war against Palestinian groups until a “complete victory” is achieved.
“The Israeli Prime Minister even added a new red line on what will bring to him the end of the war,” Sulf said.
“That includes the return of Israeli prisoners and the demilitarization of Hamas. [and] The exile of military and political leaders. Also implementing Trump’s Gaza plan. This is a widely condemned plan as a cleansing of ethnic groups, and the White House returned it a few months ago,” she said.
“But Netanyahu says that if there is an end to the war, that’s what he wants.”
Hamas says he is willing to release the remaining prisoners at once in exchange for a permanent ceasefire. He also said he would be willing to transfer control of the Gaza Strip to the interim government, as proposed in the $53 billion Enclave rebuilding plan supported by the Arab league.
However, Palestinian groups have refused to abandon their arms or exile their leaders from Gaza, saying that demand was a “red line” as long as Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory continues.
“All Eyes to Doha”
In Gaza, Palestinians said they were desperate for every contract to end Israel’s relentless bombardment and blockade.
“All the eyes of Palestine are in Doha,” Hodardy behind Al Jazeera said from Deia Elbara in central Gaza.
“Since Israel resumed the war, Palestinians have been attacked with homes, schools, makeshift tents, and so-called safe humanitarian belts. They also say they can’t even secure a meal for their families,” Khoudary said.
“The Palestinians here say they have no option left, and they are trying to survive the Israeli airstrikes and the massive starvation imposed on them.”
Israel resumed its war with Gaza on March 18, two weeks after imposing a complete blockade on the enclave.
Gaza health officials say at least 3,822 Palestinians have been killed in new Israeli attacks, with the overall confirmed death toll now reaching 53,977. Approximately 122,966 people were injured.
Israel eased the lockdown last week and put 170 aid trucks in Gaza, but humanitarian officials say it’s close to what it takes to feed the enclave’s two million people after the 11-week siege.
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