Hamas is Considering Israel's New Ceasefire Proposal

Amid intense Egyptian efforts to end the war and prevent an Israeli ground invasion of Rafah, the militant group Hamas announced on Saturday, April 8, that it is reviewing Israel's new proposal for a ceasefire. Khalil al-Hayya, a senior official of the group supported by the Islamic Republic, did not provide details of the new Israeli proposal but stated that it was in response to Hamas's proposal made two weeks ago. Early April negotiations focused on a six-week ceasefire plan and the release of 40 civilian and sick hostages in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. These comments from the Hamas official came just hours after the conclusion of an Egyptian delegation's visit to Israel and discussions about a 'new outlook' for a long-term ceasefire in Gaza. According to the Associated Press, citing an Egyptian official who requested anonymity, the negotiations between the two sides were about the first phase of a multi-stage plan in which several Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners would be released, and a significant number of Palestinian refugees would return to their homes in northern Gaza 'with minimal obstacles.' The Egyptian official stated that mediators are working on a plan that encompasses the main demands of both parties and paves the way for ongoing negotiations to achieve a larger agreement to end the war. There is increasing international pressure on Israel and Hamas to reach a ceasefire agreement and prevent an Israeli ground invasion of Rafah. More than half of the 2.3 million population of Gaza, as well as most members and leaders of Hamas, have sought refuge in Rafah due to the Israeli invasion of Gaza. Egypt has warned that a potential Israeli invasion of Rafah would have 'disastrous consequences' for the humanitarian situation in Gaza and regional peace and security. Israeli tanks and armored vehicles are near Rafah, and Hamas positions in the city are targeted almost daily by Israeli attacks. On Friday, Hamas also stated that it welcomes any idea or proposal that considers the needs of Palestinians and emphasized that it will not back down from its two main demands for a permanent ceasefire and the complete withdrawal of Israeli soldiers from the Gaza Strip. In contrast, Israel rejected both of Hamas's demands and emphasized that it would continue its military operations until Hamas is completely defeated and the hostages are freed, and that it would maintain a security presence in Gaza after Hamas's defeat. Following Hamas's terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the taking of more than 250 hostages, Israel launched its invasion of Gaza with the aim of destroying this group supported by the Islamic Republic and retrieving the hostages. During negotiations mediated by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt last fall, more than 100 kidnapped hostages were freed. There are still 133 Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, and Israel believes that at least 20 of them have died. Since the October 7 terrorist attack, Hamas officials have repeatedly emphasized that if possible, they would carry out such an attack again. Hamas, without mentioning the number of its members killed as a result of the Israeli invasion of Gaza, claims that more than 34,000 Palestinians living in Gaza have been killed and about 75,000 others injured. The Persian section of Voice of America cannot independently verify or confirm the figures provided by Hamas. Israel has also repeatedly emphasized that Hamas uses civilians as human shields. The United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Japan, Israel, and several other countries have listed Hamas as a terrorist organization. Mahmoud Abbas will meet in Riyadh with the U.S. Secretary of State and some regional leaders. Blinken: Protests in the U.S. against the war in Gaza are a sign of the power of democracy. Preparations for a ground operation in Rafah; Israel has increased its airstrikes. A joint statement from 18 countries: Hamas must release the hostages. On the 200th day of the Gaza war, the UK and Germany urged Hamas to release all hostages. Construction of a humanitarian aid pier for Gaza has begun; the U.S. states that Israel has taken significant steps to reduce the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The Israeli army: Two Hezbollah field commanders were killed. Raisi threatened Israel with destruction in Pakistan. Macron told Netanyahu: We stand with Israel against the threats of the Islamic Republic.