Hamas Rejects Proposed Hostage Release Deal

A senior Egyptian official told AP that Hamas rejected the Israeli proposal for the freeing of the hostages in exchange for a two month long truce, the release of Palestinian terrorists, and the transfer of senior Hamas leaders out of the Strip to other states. He also added that Hamas insists that the freeing of the hostages will only happen when the war is completely stopped, including the IDF’s withdrawal from Gaza.

According to the same source, Egypt and Qatar are working on a new proposal to bridge the gaps between the sides.

At the beginning of the week, Israeli sources involved in the negotiations said that “Israel is ready for an arrangement including a political settlement with the release of terrorists from prison, aside from Nukhba terrorists who committed a massacre, raped and murdered babies and women in cold blood.”

Yesterday, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu met with representatives of the families of hostages and cooled their enthusiasm over a possible deal: “I say this in the clearest way I can because there are so many incorrect things which certainly torture you.”

Update: Israel told Kan 11 News that there has been no rejection of the proposed peace deal from the mediators.