ISRAEL’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the terms presented by Hamas as unrealistic and “absurd” amid continuous negotiations to seal another ceasefire in Gaza.
Hamas demanded the release of 700 to 1,000 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons, including 100 of whom are serving life sentences, in exchange for the Israeli women, children, elderly and ill hostages as well as female recruits during the first stage of the swap.
The group also demanded the withdrawal of Israeli troops in Gaza to pave the way for a permanent ceasefire and the release of all Israeli hostages abducted on October 7.
Despite turning down Hamas’ terms, Netanyahu will be sending delegates to Qatar for ongoing truce negotiations.
The Prime Minister also approved a plan for Israel’s Defense Forces to launch an operation in the city of Rafah located in southern Gaza, where about 1.5 million Palestinian refugees have been seeking refuge since the war Israel-Hamas war erupted last year.
Israel has ordered its military to evacuate Palestinians in Rafah and destroy four Hamas battalions stationed in the city.
