Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected a ceasefire initiative proposed by Egypt aimed at halting the ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza. The proposal, announced by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi during a joint press conference with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune in Cairo, called for a two-day truce to facilitate an exchange of four Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, followed by a ten-day negotiation period to secure a more lasting ceasefire.
Despite broad support from several Israeli ministers and Israel’s security establishment, Netanyahu firmly opposed the plan. According to Israel’s Channel 12, Netanyahu insisted that “negotiations will only occur under fire,” leading to the decision to dismiss the Egyptian initiative.
Israel estimates that around 101 of its citizens are being held captive by Hamas in Gaza, sparking fears that some may have died in ongoing Israeli airstrikes. Efforts led by the US, Egypt, and Qatar to mediate a ceasefire and facilitate a prisoner swap have stalled, with Netanyahu remaining committed to continuing military operations.
The conflict escalated following a cross-border attack by Hamas last October, prompting Israel to launch extensive airstrikes in Gaza. Despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire, Israel has pressed on with its offensive. According to local health officials, the ongoing military action has resulted in nearly 43,000 deaths, the majority of whom are women and children, and over 100,000 injuries. The offensive, coupled with a blockade, has caused severe shortages of essential supplies, displacing nearly the entire population of Gaza.
Israel now faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice, as accusations mount over its military campaign in the densely populated enclave.