Israel rejects 5-day ceasefire, hostage release offer from Hamas

Tel Aviv: The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have rejected the offer from Hamas for a five-day ceasefire and the release of hostages, even as backchannel negotiations between various Arab nations and Hamas continue for the hostage release.

According to reports, Qatar is playing a major role in the release of hostages kidnapped by Hamas on October 7.

Hamas had agreed for the release of 70 hostages, including women and children, and in return want a five-day ceasefire. The Hamas also wants a prisoner swap by releasing Palestinian prisoners who are in Israeli jails.

However, Israel has rejected all offers from Hamas and wants all the hostages to be released immediately instead of releasing them in groups.

Israel sees the five-day ceasefire offer by Hamas as a move to buy time for the group’s leadership to regroup and launch attacks against Israel.

Sources in IDF told IANS that there will not be any agreement on a ceasefire for five days as IDF has already advanced into Gaza.

With inputs from IANS

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