Hamas refuses Egypt's ceasefire deal due to disarmament demands

In recent developments surrounding the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Hamas has outright rejected a proposal put forth by Egypt, which aimed to facilitate hostage exchanges and a ceasefire. The Egyptian plan included a 45-day ceasefire, during which it was anticipated that half of the remaining hostages would be released alongside substantial humanitarian aid entering the Gaza Strip. However, Hamas objected, primarily due to the demand in the proposal that they disarm. This condition placed Hamas in a precarious position, as they are adamant about continuing their military actions and insist that Israel must end its military operations before proceeding with any agreements. The details of the Egyptian mediation plan presented included potentially releasing eight living hostages, including an individual of American-Israeli descent named Edan Alexander, and returning the bodies of eight others. In exchange, the plan proposed a temporary ceasefire of 40 to 70 days, along with the desire for around 1,100 Hamas members imprisoned in Israel to be released. There is also an alternative proposition under discussion, which could see Hamas releasing up to 11 living hostages and the remains of 16 others, contingent upon Israel's acceptance of a total ceasefire lasting 70 days. One of the primary motivations for Egypt's involvement is to alleviate humanitarian concerns within the Gaza Strip. The plan calls for massive aid deliveries to address the urgent needs of civilians affected by the ongoing conflict. Furthermore, the proposal outlines a phased approach for hostage releases, which would occur throughout the truce rather than in a single event. The Egyptian mediators hope to stabilize the situation in Gaza and are looking ahead to the establishment of a coordination committee aimed at governing the region temporarily before a longer-term reconsolidation under the Palestinian Authority. Despite previous ceasefire efforts leading to limited success in releasing hostages, negotiations often stall over the quantification of captives to be freed and the specifics of potential prisoner exchanges. It has been reported that Hamas continues to hold approximately 59 Israeli hostages, captured during their military onslaught on October 7, with 24 of these individuals believed to be alive. This situation raises serious concerns regarding the ongoing humanitarian crisis and the increasing tension in the region, undermining the prospects for a peaceful resolution in the immediate future.