Israel rejects ceasefire proposal 

The U.S. is optimistic that a ceasefire in Gaza is possible in the near future, even though the Israeli prime minister has turned down the proposal. On the other hand, although Hamas accepted the ceasefire proposal, Israeli forces carried out a “limited operation” in Rafah, after which Hamas declared that it is pointless to talk about a ceasefire if the hostilities continue, Voice of America writes.

While some Palestinians mourn the deaths of relatives killed in Israeli airstrikes in Rafah on Tuesday, thousands of others continue to flee ahead of an Israeli ground operation in Rafah, fearing for their lives and the lives of their relatives.

“This operation will continue until we eliminate Hamas in Rafah and the entire Gaza Strip, and until the last hostage returns,” Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said. 

According to Israel, the purpose of the ground military operation in the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip is to put pressure on Hamas, although the latter gave its consent to the ceasefire proposal on Monday. Israel claims that the ceasefire plan does not include the elimination of Hamas, so it is unacceptable to them.