Israel Rejects Gaza Ceasefire, Hostage Release Proposals

Israel has rejected a recent ceasefire proposal aimed at halting its offensive in Gaza and securing the release of hostages, describing it as unacceptable and equating acceptance to a 'surrender to Hamas.' The proposal, reportedly presented by US mediators and involving a Palestinian-American businessman negotiating with Hamas, called for a 70-day ceasefire, the release of five living hostages and five deceased, humanitarian aid into Gaza, and negotiations toward a permanent truce. Israel insists on the Witkoff framework, which proposes a 45-60 day ceasefire and the release of 10 hostages but excludes demands such as the withdrawal of Israeli forces or the release of Palestinian prisoners. Despite some hostages having been freed during a prior truce period, at least 20 hostages remain alive in Gaza, with additional abductees' statuses unclear. The ongoing conflict has resulted in over 53,000 Palestinian deaths according to Gaza health authorities, and the Forum of Hostage Families continues to call for a comprehensive agreement to end the war and secure all hostages' release.