Gaza ceasefire deal rejected by Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after Hamas demands

Benjamin Netanyahu said yesterday his country will not accept Hamas’s demands for Israel to end its Gaza onslaught.

Israel’s prime minister said a proposed deal was unacceptable as it would keep Hamas in control of Gaza, posing a threat to Israel. His comments came as officials resumed talks in Egypt to broker a pause in Israel’s offensive in Gaza in return for freeing hostages. The main sticking point appears to be whether the deal would be temporary or permanent. Hamas also wants a number of Palestinian prisoners to be freed.

Leader Ismail Haniyeh said any deal must include an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and an end to the war. But Mr Netanyahu responded by saying: “Israel will not agree to Hamas’ demands. We are not ready to accept a situation in which Hamas battalions come out of their bunkers, take control of Gaza again, rebuild their military infrastructure, and return to threatening the citizens of Israel.”

Tens of thousands of Israelis rallied late into Saturday night calling for a deal to free hostages. Protesters in Tel Aviv chanted “war is not holy, life is”, with some accusing Mr Netanyahu of aiming to prolong the conflict. Hamas militants attacked Israel’s main crossing point for delivering aid into Gaza yesterday. Several Israelis were wounded in the attack, which prompted Israel to close the Kerem Shalom crossing.

Meanwhile Israel also announced it was banning the Al Jazeera satellite channel in the country. Mr Netanyahu has faced pressure from his far-right coalition for a ground offensive in Rafah, where 1.4 million people are sheltering. Of the 252 Israelis kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, 128 are still unaccounted for and 34 presumed dead. The UN’s World Food Programme said northern Gaza is experiencing a “full-blown famine”.