Gaza Crisis: Hamas Accepts Ceasefire Proposal as Israel Vows "Complete Defeat"
In a potential breakthrough amidst the escalating conflict in Gaza, Hamas has announced its acceptance of a ceasefire proposal brokered by Qatar and Egypt. This development comes as Israel's National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, vowed that the war would only conclude with the "complete defeat" of Hamas, dismissing the group's willingness to consider a truce as a mere "game."
According to reports from Al Jazeera and other sources, Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas's political bureau, conveyed the group's approval of the ceasefire proposal during telephone calls with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Egyptian Intelligence Minister Abbas Kamel.
In its official announcement on its website, Hamas stated: "Ismail Haniyeh, head of the political bureau of the Hamas movement, conducted a telephone call with the Prime Minister of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, and with the Egyptian Intelligence Minister, Mr. Abbas Kamel, and informed them of Hamas's approval of their proposal regarding a ceasefire agreement."
However, the Israeli government has yet to officially respond to the news of Hamas's acceptance of the ceasefire deal. In a defiant social media post, Ben-Gvir, a far-right Israeli official, suggested that Hamas was engaging in "games" and called for an "immediate order to occupy Rafah."
"Increasing military pressure, and continuing the complete defeat of Hamas, until its complete defeat," Ben-Gvir wrote, underscoring the hardline stance of the Israeli government.
The announcement of this potential breakthrough comes as residents began to flee the town of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, where Israel had issued evacuation orders for tens of thousands of people amid escalating fears of a full-scale military assault.
On Sunday, Palestinian officials stated that during discussions with Egyptian and Qatari mediators, Hamas negotiators had reiterated their position that any ceasefire agreement must entail an end to the conflict.
In recent weeks, Israel and Hamas have engaged in indirect talks facilitated by Qatar and Egypt to negotiate a possible ceasefire in the Gaza conflict and an Israeli prisoner exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Officials have indicated that any ceasefire arrangement would likely occur in multiple phases, with Hamas releasing Israeli captives in exchange for a gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.
As the region holds its breath, the contrasting positions of Hamas and the Israeli government underscore the fragility of the ceasefire proposal and the challenges that lie ahead in achieving lasting peace in the region.