Israel has rejected a ceasefire deal with Hamas with one official criticising it as ‘watered-down’.
According to a copy of the proposal that Hamas says it has agreed to, there will be three phases to ending Israel’s war on Gaza.
In phase one, there will be a temporary cessation of hostilities between Hamas and Israel as well as a withdrawal of Israeli forces to the east and the current border region between Israel and the Palestinian territory.
During the same phase, Israeli warplanes and drones would also stop flying over Gaza for 10 hours each day, and for 12 hours on days when captives are to be released.
Euronews reports that Hamas agreed to the deal, proposed by Egyptian and Qatari mediators, on Monday but Israel said the terms did not meet its basic demands. Details of what was outlined in the proposal have been scarce but it is believed to have included a phased exchange of Israeli hostages in Gaza for Palestinian prisoners held in Israel. It was also thought to include provisions for displaced Palestinians to return to their homes in Gaza.
Reuters reported that aid flow to Gaza has halted through the Rafah border crossing with Egypt following Israeli forces taking control of the Palestinian side of the frontier. Three sources in humanitarian relief told the news agency that shipments of crucial supplies had halted. Senior UN officials have repeatedly warned of a humanitarian catastrophe in Rafah should Israel launch a ground invasion of what was until recently a last refuge from Israeli attacks.
Meanwhile, following the agreement spontaneous cheers erupt in Gaza on hearing the news that Hamas has told Qatar and Egypt they will accept their ceasefire proposal. According to Al Jazeera, pressure was building on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at home, after Hamas agreed to a ceasefire proposal brokered by Qatar and Egypt Thousands of people held demonstrations in Tel Aviv, demanding the government accept the deal and bring the captives held in Gaza back home.
White House National Security Spokesperson John Kirby told reporters that Israel must have a chance to evaluate the ceasefire deal Hamas agreed to, as the CIA director continues talks with leaders in the region.
