Illustrative image. (The Israeli Defense Forces)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected on March 15 the latest proposal put forward by the Hamas Movement for a release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, saying that the group demands “are still absurd.”
During a cabinet meeting at Israeli military headquarters in Tel Aviv, Netanyahu also approved a plan of operation to enter the southern Gaza city of Rafah, his office said in a statement.
“The IDF [Israeli Defense Forces] is prepared for the operation and to evacuate the [civilian] population,” the statement reads.
Hamas’ proposal included the release of Israelis hostages, initially including women, children, the elderly, and ill, in exchange for the release of 700-1000 Palestinian prisoners, Reuters reported a day earlier. The release of Israeli “female recruits” is also included.
A date for a permanent ceasefire would be agreed upon after the initial exchange of hostages and prisoners, according to the proposal, which also calls for setting a deadline for a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
The Israeli decision to reject the proposal and go on with military operations in Gaza came despite widespread warnings from the international community, including from the United States And Egypt, not to enter Rafah where some 1.5 million displaced Palestinians are currently sheltering.
The statement released by Netanyahu’s office noted that Israel will send a delegation to Qatar to continue talks on a truce deal “once the security cabinet discusses the Israeli position.”
Some 149 Palestinians were killed and 300 others wounded in Gaza in the past 24 hours, the Hamas-run health ministry said in a statement.
That number apparently includes 21 Palestinians killed waiting for an aid convoy in Gaza City. Hamas blamed Israel for the deadly incident. Palestinian activists also reported that the crowd was targeted by Israeli attack helicopters. However, the IDF alleged that Palestinian fighters opened fire and said that there was no Israeli fire at all at the scene.
The latest casualties brought the death toll from the war in Gaza to 31,490 Palestinians, with more than 73,439 others wounded.
By rejecting Hamas’ ceasefire proposal and approving a military operation in Rfaha, Netanyahu is clearly attempting to prolong the war on Gaza in order to stay in office. This will only worsen the humanitarian situation in the Strip and claim the lives of more Palestinians.
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