ALBAWABA - Rejecting a ceasefire agreement, Israel has given Hamas a week to accept it or face a military attack in Rafah, sources told Reuters. Hamas, meanwhile, has said that it would send a negotiating delegation to Cairo tomorrow.
The Wall Street Journal has reported that Israel has given Hamas one week to accept a ceasefire agreement, threatening to begin a military attack in Rafah if they refuse.
Hamas representatives have expressed reservations over the current proposal's ambiguity, which may enable Israel to restart hostilities at any time.
Simultaneously, Egypt has invited top Hamas leaders to come to Cairo in the coming days for more talks, as Egypt works to mediate a truce in Gaza that includes the exchange of prisoners.
Concurrently, a security source told Reuters today that CIA Director William Burns is reportedly in Cairo for talks over Gaza.
Although Hamas has not yet provided an official response to the ceasefire plan, it has previously shown interest in it. However, Israel claims that it won't end hostilities until it enters Rafah in order to eliminate the remaining Hamas elements, while Hamas insists on an ongoing truce with Israel.
The United States, Qatar, and Egypt are among the mediating nations waiting for Hamas's response to a proposed 40-day truce that includes conditions including captive release and more supplies to Gaza.
On Thursday, Hamas said that a team will be visiting Egypt shortly to continue negotiations with the goal of reaching a deal that would satisfy requests for a ceasefire. Egyptian sources verified that talks are still in progress to resolve the parties' differences, and that progress is being made in the discussions.
