Hamas Declares It Is Prepared For A Truce Deal While Israel Steps Up Attack on Gaza
As Israel rejects negotiations and escalates its attack on Gaza, Hamas declares it is prepared for a comprehensive truce agreement.
Israel extended its overnight offensive on the main metropolitan center of the territory, killing at least 73 Palestinians in Israeli attacks throughout Gaza on Wednesday, including 43 in Gaza City alone, according to hospital sources.
Hamas declared that it has committed to the establishment of an independent national government to run Gaza and is prepared to accept a comprehensive truce that is conditional on the release of all Israeli prisoners.
“We are ready for a comprehensive truce deal that will see the release of all Israeli captives,” a statement from Hamas stated. Additionally, we have consented to the establishment of a separate national government to govern Gaza.
However, the plan was turned down by the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who insisted that any resolution to the dispute must be on Israeli terms. “The war can end immediately, but only on conditions set by the Israeli cabinet,” his office stated.
Bezalel Smotrich, Israel’s far-right Finance Minister, unveiled a plan that would see Israel seize almost the whole occupied West Bank in the meanwhile, pushing for significant territorial modifications. “Israel must move forward with annexation, and I call on the Prime Minister to endorse this plan,” he said, pleading with Netanyahu to support the proposal.
According to Gaza health officials, at least 63,746 Palestinians have died and 161,245 have been injured since the conflict started in October 2023. Approximately 200 people were captured and 1,139 people were killed in the October 7 attacks in Israel.
