Hamas Demands Gradual Ceasefire... Israel Maintains 'Refusal to Negotiate' Stance

Israeli Military Notifies US of 'Rafa Operation'

The Palestinian armed group Hamas proposed a phased ceasefire on the 4th (local time), starting with a temporary truce and leading to the end of the war.

Residents are gathering to receive free food in Jabaliya, northern Gaza Strip. [Image source=Yonhap News]

A Hamas source said in an interview with Xinhua News Agency on the same day that they would agree on a negotiation plan to reach a "gradual" complete ceasefire with Israel, emphasizing that there must be clear international guarantees that Israel will adhere to the ceasefire and completely end the war.

According to foreign media, the ceasefire negotiations resumed by the Hamas delegation and mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and the United States ended before 9 p.m. that day and are scheduled to resume on the 5th. Israel delivered a new ceasefire proposal to Hamas on the 26th of last month but did not attend the Cairo talks in person. Although the full text of the negotiation plan has not been disclosed, it is reported to include exchanging 33 hostages, including women, elderly, and patients, for 900 Palestinians imprisoned in Egyptian prisons, and a ceasefire lasting about 40 days.

Reports have emerged that Israel notified the U.S. government and relief organizations of plans to move civilians ahead of an operation in Rafah, the southernmost part of Gaza. The Israeli military informed relief organizations that the operation would soon take place.