The Voice News:A senior Hamas official has told the BBC that the group will reject the latest ceasefire and hostage release plan proposed by the US, despite Israel’s approval.
According to the White House, Israel has agreed to the proposal from US envoy Steve Witkoff, and officials are now awaiting Hamas’s formal response. The plan reportedly includes:
A 60-day ceasefire
The release of 10 living hostages and the bodies of 18 deceased hostages
The release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails
However, Hamas says the offer does not meet its key demands, including a complete end to the war and guarantees of a permanent ceasefire. The group is expected to respond officially soon.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told families of hostages on Thursday that he accepted the proposal. His office later confirmed the meeting but did not deny the reports about his agreement.
Military Operations and Humanitarian Crisis
Israel resumed its offensive in Gaza on 18 March, following the collapse of a previous US-Qatar-Egypt-brokered truce. The renewed campaign aims to pressure Hamas into releasing the 58 remaining hostages, at least 20 of whom are believed to be alive.
On 19 May, Israel launched an expanded operation across Gaza, with Netanyahu pledging to seize control of the entire territory. He also promised limited humanitarian aid access to avoid famine.
The human cost continues to escalate:
Nearly 4,000 people have died in Gaza in the past 10 weeks (Hamas-run health ministry)
Over 54,000 have died since the war began in October 2023
At least 54 people were killed in strikes on Thursday alone
600,000 people have been newly displaced
The UN-backed IPC warns of catastrophic hunger for 500,000 people
Background and Stalemate
The war began after Hamas’s cross-border attack on 7 October 2023, killing 1,200 Israelis and taking 251 hostages. Since then, 197 hostages have been recovered, most through previous temporary ceasefires.
Netanyahu maintains that the war will not end until:
All hostages are released
Hamas is dismantled or disarmed
Its leaders are exiled
Hamas insists it is willing to return the remaining hostages, but only in exchange for a complete end to hostilities and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Israel approved the latest plan before it was sent to Hamas and expressed hope for a new truce. However, Hamas says the current proposal lacks assurance of a long-term peace or restoration of humanitarian protocols.