Hamas denies reports of receiving international proposal for ceasefire in Gaza

PALESTIAN, Mar 13 : Palestinian movement Hamas on Wednesday denied reports that it had received an international proposal for a prolonged ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and that a Hamas delegation was going to leave for the Egyptian capital city of Cairo in the coming days to discuss the details of the agreement.

On Tuesday, Al Arabiya broadcaster reported, citing a top-level Hamas source, that the movement had agreed to the US-initiated proposal for a ceasefire and a gradual return of displaced people.

“The news reported by the Al Arabiya news channel, citing a top-level Hamas source, that the movement received an international proposal for a prolonged ceasefire in Gaza and a gradual return of displaced people, or that a delegation to discuss details [of the agreement] will head to Cairo, is untrue,” Hamas said in a statement on Telegram.

The movement also asked the media to cover news with precision and to stop “manipulating feelings” of the Palestinian people, who are subjected to “Zionist aggression” and a “war of annihilation.”

On October 7, 2023, the Palestinian movement Hamas launched a large-scale rocket attack against Israel and breached the border, attacking both civilian neighbourhoods and military bases. As a result, over 1,200 people in Israel were killed, and some 240 others were abducted.

Israel launched retaliatory strikes, ordered a complete blockade of Gaza, and started a ground incursion into the Palestinian enclave with the declared goal of eliminating Hamas fighters and rescuing the hostages. At least 31,100 people have been killed by Israeli strikes so far in the Gaza Strip, local authorities said.

 

 

 

On November 24, Qatar mediated a deal between Israel and Hamas on a temporary truce and the exchange of some of the prisoners and hostages, as well as the delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. The ceasefire was extended several times and expired on December 1. More than 100 hostages are still believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza. (UNI)