By Smartencyclopedia with Agencies
Cairo, Egypt — Hamas has firmly rejected the latest conditions proposed by Israel for a ceasefire agreement, demanding adherence to the terms established on July 2, as reported by CNN. Following the unsuccessful talks with mediators, the Hamas delegation left Cairo on Sunday evening, casting further doubt on the possibility of a breakthrough in the ongoing US-supported efforts to end the 10-month-long conflict.
Izzat al-Rishq, a member of Hamas’s political bureau, emphasized that any ceasefire agreement must strictly reflect the July 2 accord. This agreement includes a permanent ceasefire, the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, the return of displaced residents to their homes, provision of humanitarian relief, and reconstruction efforts. Additionally, Hamas insists on a serious prisoner exchange deal as part of the conditions. Al-Rishq’s statement highlighted Hamas’s unwavering stance that Israel must adhere to these terms without modification.
Senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan accused Israel of introducing new conditions that were not part of the original agreement. According to Hamdan, these new demands include the repositioning of Israeli troops in the Philadelphi corridor, a critical strip along the Egypt border, and the involvement of non-Palestinian entities in managing the Rafah crossing.
Hamas has also criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of obstructing progress in the negotiations by imposing additional demands and lacking a genuine commitment to a ceasefire. Netanyahu has maintained that the conflict will continue until Hamas is decisively defeated, a position that has faced criticism from some Israeli officials and families of captives held by Hamas.
The conflict escalated significantly on October 7 of last year when Hamas launched a large-scale attack on Israel, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 people and the taking of over 250 hostages, with more than 100 still held captive. In response, Israel initiated a major military campaign against Hamas in Gaza, which has faced international criticism for its impact on civilians. The Gaza Health Ministry reports that over 40,000 Palestinians have died as a result of Israeli military operations.
In a related development, the Israeli military announced earlier today that around 100 fighter jets had targeted and destroyed thousands of Hezbollah rocket launcher barrels, striking more than 40 launch sites in Lebanon. Amid rising tensions with Lebanon, the Israeli government declared a 48-hour emergency.