<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">A senior Hamas official has indicated that the Palestinian armed group is likely to reject the latest US-backed ceasefire and hostage release proposal for Gaza, despite Israel having agreed to the terms.</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">The White House confirmed on Thursday that Israel had signed off on the proposal submitted by US Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, with President Joe Biden&rsquo;s backing. </span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">&ldquo;Israel signed off on this proposal before it was sent to Hamas,&rdquo; said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt during a press briefing.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">&ldquo;Those discussions are continuing, and we hope that a ceasefire in Gaza will take place so we can return all of the hostages home,&rdquo; she added.</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">The proposed deal reportedly includes a 60-day ceasefire and would involve Hamas releasing 10 living hostages along with the remains of 18 others, in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. The plan was relayed to Hamas via mediators, including Qatar and Egypt.</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">However, a senior Hamas official told the BBC that the current terms fail to meet the group&rsquo;s core demands, most notably a guarantee that any temporary truce would lead to a permanent end to the war. The official also noted that the offer does not include a return to the humanitarian framework established during a previous ceasefire, which had allowed hundreds of aid trucks to enter Gaza daily.</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Despite this, Hamas confirmed in a statement that it is "responsibly studying" the proposal to ensure it serves the interests of the Palestinian people, alleviates suffering, and works toward a permanent ceasefire.</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly told families of hostages that he accepts the US-mediated deal. Nonetheless, the Israeli government has not issued an official statement.</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">The renewed push for a ceasefire comes amid ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza. On March 18, Israel reimposed a total blockade on the territory and resumed its offensive following the collapse of a US-, Qatar-, and Egypt-brokered two-month truce. Israeli authorities say the military action aims to pressure Hamas into releasing the remaining 58 hostages, at least 20 of whom are believed to be alive.</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">More than 4,000 people have been killed in Gaza over the past 10 weeks, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The UN reports that another 600,000 have been displaced again due to intensified Israeli ground operations, while nearly 500,000 people face catastrophic levels of hunger in the months ahead, according to a UN-backed IPC report.</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Hamas has not yet formally responded to the latest proposal, but it remains in contact with mediators, suggesting negotiations are still ongoing.</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;"><em><strong>&mdash;IANS</strong></em></span></div>
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Israeli tanks advance as Gaza conflict continues

US-backed plan offers 60-day ceasefire, hostage swap; Hamas seeks permanent truce, more aid

Israel Backs Gaza Truce, Hamas Resists Deal

US-backed plan offers 60-day ceasefire, hostage swap; Hamas seeks permanent truce, more aid

May 30, 2025 | 09:37 IST