Israel just slammed the door on Hamas’ ceasefire proposal, insisting it’s all a “spin” and gearing up for a big push into Gaza City 🚀. In the latest press statement, Hamas had offered a game-changer: swap hostages for Palestinian prisoners, pull back Israeli forces, reopen crossings for humanitarian aid and kickstart rebuilding efforts 🏗️.
They even pitched setting up an independent technocrat admin to run civil affairs while everyone catches a breather. Sounds like a plan for peace, right? 🤝 But Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu shot it down, demanding full Israeli security control, demilitarization of Gaza, and a non-Palestinian administration as preconditions for any ceasefire.
Defense Minister Israel Katz doubled down, saying the army is “at full strength” to seize Gaza City 💥.
West Bank Annexation Sparks More Tension
Meanwhile, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich revealed maps for annexing parts of the occupied West Bank, stirring uproar among Palestinians who see it as a death blow to a future state 🚫. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry is calling on the world to slap sanctions on Israel and curb settlement expansion.
Sources say Netanyahu will huddle with ministers on Thursday to iron out the annexation plan, possibly as a counter to Europe’s push for Palestinian state recognition at the UN General Assembly.
With things heating up, eyes are on the region as both sides dig in their heels. Will there ever be a breakthrough? Stay tuned 🔔.
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Israel rejects Hamas' ceasefire deal, vows to seize Gaza City
cgtn.com
