Hamas on Monday (May 6) agreed to a Gaza ceasefire proposal from mediators, but Israel said the terms did not meet its demands and pressed ahead with strikes in Rafah while planning to continue negotiations on a deal.

Jerusalem

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel is 'at war' following a surprise attack from Gaza by Hamas militants.

Israel-Gaza War

Hamas announced on Monday its acceptance of a ceasefire proposal from mediators amidst ongoing confrontations in Gaza. Despite this gesture of peace, Israel has expressed dissatisfaction, stating the proposed terms do not meet its demands. Consequently, Israel persisted with its military operations in Rafah, furthering the tension in the region while indicating a willingness to continue negotiation efforts.

In Rafah, Gaza, where Israeli strikes have intensified, scenes of chaos unfolded. Residents, overwhelmed by fear of an advancing Israeli assault, hastily evacuated the city. This development came after a brief moment of hope when Hamas conveyed through a statement that it had agreed to the mediators' ceasefire proposal. This proposal involved Qatari and Egyptian mediators and was met with mixed reactions, reflecting the complexity of reaching a resolution.

The Israeli military has made clear its stance that any proposal leading to the release of hostages held in Gaza would be considered, yet it emphasized the continuation of its operations for the time being. The call for action was echoed in Tel Aviv by families of those kidnapped by Hamas in a previous attack, urging President Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to the deal. However, there are conflicting views on the nature of the proposal, with an Israeli official describing it as a diluted version of a prior Egyptian offer that includes unacceptable elements for Israel.

Disputes over the ceasefire proposal extend to its content, with one official suggesting it resembles an offer that Israel had tentatively agreed to previously. Meanwhile, Israel's tactical operations in Rafah, particularly following a rocket attack that resulted in the deaths of four Israeli soldiers, have renewed concerns about the potential for a larger conflict. Human Rights Watch has highlighted the severe humanitarian implications of such actions, stressing the dire situation in areas targeted for evacuation.

As international eyes turn towards the unfolding situation, the U.S. State Department has indicated its intention to discuss the Hamas response with allies. The overarching goal remains to broker an immediate ceasefire, facilitating the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the afflicted regions of Gaza. The path to peace appears fraught with challenges, as both sides navigate a complex landscape of demands and concessions.



Gaza ceasefire uncertain as Israel strikes Rafah

There was cheering in Rafah in Gaza on Monday night after Hamas said it had accepted a ceasefire proposal from mediators, even as residents fled the city in fear of an Israeli assault. But any likelihood of such a ceasefire taking place was quickly played down by Israel. Hamas said in a brief statement that its chief had informed Qatari and Egyptian mediators that the group accepted their proposal for a ceasefire. It comes as Israeli forces struck Rafah and ordered residents out of parts of the city, which had served as a last refuge for more than a million displaced Gazans. A spokesperson for the Israeli military said all proposals that would release hostages held in Gaza would be considered, but said that for now, its operations would continue. In Tel Aviv, families of hostages kidnapped by Hamas in the October 7 attack called on President Benjamin Netanyahu to take the deal. An Israeli official speaking on condition of anonymity said the proposal that Hamas had accepted was a watered-down version of an Egyptian offer and included elements that Israel could not accept. An official briefed on the peace talks, also speaking on condition of anonymity, said, however, that the offer was effectively the same as one Israel had agreed to at the end of April. Israel said on Monday it was conducting limited operations in part of Rafah, following a rocket attack that killed four Israeli soldiers the day before. Omar Shakir with Human Rights Watch said an invasion of Rafah would be, quote, unlawful and catastrophic. The areas that have been marked for evacuation are areas that have been decimated by Israeli forces that do not have the infrastructure needed for human life. A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department said Washington would discuss the Hamas response with its allies. It would bring an immediate ceasefire. It would allow increased movement of humanitarian assistance, and so we're going to continue to work to try to reach one.

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Tel Aviv-Yafo

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Manchester

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New York

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Melbourne

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Council of the City of Sydney

Police officer stabbed in Sydney CBD

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Houston

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Kharkiv

Ukraine Invasion

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Israel-Gaza War