Hamas Rejects Israeli Offer For 2-Month Ceasefire, Egyptian Official Tells AP

(AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

Hamas has rejected a two-month ceasefire deal to pause the fighting in the Gaza Strip that began after the terrorist group launched an attack on Israeli civilians that left over 1,000 dead in October of last year.

Israel had offered Hamas a two-month cessation of hostilities and the release of Palestinian prisoners being held by the Israelis in exchange for the release of the remaining hostages Hamas took over the course of its attack, but a senior Egyptian official has told the Associated Press that the Israeli plan has been rejected.

An Egyptian official said Israel has proposed a two-month cease-fire in which Hamas would free Israeli hostages in exchange for the release of imprisoned Palestinians.

The official, who spoke to AP on the condition of anonymity, said Hamas has rejected the proposal. pic.twitter.com/4KPKKgqZHa

— The Associated Press (@AP) January 23, 2024

The plan would have also allowed members of Hamas leadership to leave Gaza for other countries.

Israeli leaders had previously rejected the idea of a ceasefire altogether, frustrating western progressives who have taken to protesting over the humanitarian cost of the war.

Back in November, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had insisted that “the war against [Hamas] is advancing with full force, and it has one goal, to win. There is no alternative to victory.”

Prior to Hamas’ rejection of the Israeli proposal on Tuesday, Netanyahu had said no to a framework put forward by the terrorist group that would have called for the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and the acceptance of its continued authority in the territory.

“I reject outright the terms of surrender of the monsters of Hamas,” said Netanyahu on Sunday. “If we accept this, we won’t be able to guarantee the safety of our citizens. We will not be able to bring evacuees home safely and the next October 7 will only be a matter of time.”