Israel Gives Hamas One Week to Accept Ceasefire Proposal

Israel has given the Palestinian movement Hamas one week to accept a ceasefire proposal; otherwise, the country will initiate military operations in the city of Rafah in the Gaza Strip. According to reports by The Wall Street Journal, citing its sources, Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar previously stated that he would not agree to a ceasefire deal with Israel unless it included a reliable plan to end the war.

The latest proposal includes an initial ceasefire period lasting up to 40 days, during which Hamas would release up to 33 hostages in exchange for potential further negotiations on a long-term ceasefire. Subsequent phases would entail at least a six-week ceasefire, during which Hamas and Israel would agree on the release of hostages and an extension of military operation halts that could last up to a year.