Israeli media reported that despite the support of most ministers in the government, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a short-term ceasefire proposal for Gaza that was put forward by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. The news on Israel’s state television, KAN, and Channel 12 stated that the Tel Aviv administration did not accept Egypt’s offer. According to Channel 12’s website, although most ministers in the Israeli government supported Egypt’s proposal, Netanyahu opposed it. The report indicated that Netanyahu argued “prisoner exchange talks will only continue while attacks on Gaza persist” and highlighted that Egypt’s offer was also turned down. The news further mentioned that Israel’s security forces also backed Egypt’s proposal. President Sisi of Egypt had previously stated that they proposed a two-day ceasefire attempt for the exchange of 4 Israeli captives and some detained Palestinians in Gaza, where Israel continued its attacks. Sisi mentioned, “Negotiations will be carried out within the next 10 days to turn the temporary ceasefire into a permanent one.”
Regarding the Israeli occupation of Gaza, the armed wing of Hamas, Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, initiated a comprehensive attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, in response to continuous violations targeting Palestinians and sacred values, especially Al-Aqsa Mosque. Israel announced that in the attacks on October 7th, 1200 Israelis died, and 5,132 were injured. Since the attacks began on October 7th, Israel’s assaults on Gaza have resulted in the death of approximately 42,924 Palestinians, including about 17,210 children and 11,742 women, with 100,833 injured. There are reports of thousands still under the rubble, and civilian infrastructure is being destroyed by targeting hospitals and educational institutions where people have taken shelter. The Israeli army announced that since the beginning of the attacks on Gaza on October 7th, 771 soldiers have died, 356 of whom were killed during the ground invasion. The conflict saw an “humanitarian pause” from November 24, 2023, for 4 days, which was later extended by 3 days, during which time 81 Israelis and 240 Palestinian prisoners were released. However, Israel continues to detain and imprison thousands of Palestinians. Since October 7, 2023, in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, 762 Palestinians, including 166 children, have lost their lives in attacks carried out by Israeli soldiers and Israelis seizing Palestinian territories.