Hamas rejects truce: Ben Gvir calls for total destruction of the group

Israeli National Security Minister attacks after rejection of Trump-brokered deal. Hamas sources: ‘Plan unacceptable, no guarantee of end to war’

Hamas’ rejection of the latest truce proposal relaunched by the United States has sparked a reaction from Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who wrote on his Telegram channel: ‘It is time to go in with full force, without hesitation, to destroy and kill Hamas down to the last man.’ According to the far-right leader in Netanyahu’s government, ‘there are no more excuses’ and ‘the confusion, uncertainty and weakness must end.’

The proposal, drafted by US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff with the approval of President Donald Trump, provided for a 60-day truce in the Gaza Strip, extendable to 70 days, and a staggered release of hostages and prisoners. The White House said Israel had accepted the agreement before it was transmitted to Hamas, but there has been no official confirmation from the Israeli side.

Sources close to the Palestinian movement have said that the plan would be a step backwards from previous proposals because it lacks a clear American guarantee of a permanent ceasefire. ‘It is a continuation of killings and famine, it does not respond to the demands of our people,’ said Bassem Naim of the Hamas politburo, stressing, however, that the group ‘will examine the proposal with a full sense of national responsibility.’

The plan calls for the release of 10 hostages in two phases during the first two weeks, along with the delivery of the bodies of 18 others. In exchange, Israel would release 125 Palestinians sentenced to life imprisonment and 1,111 detainees in Gaza after the 7 October attack. It would also include the resumption of humanitarian aid distribution under the auspices of the UN and the withdrawal of the Israeli army to its positions prior to the March offensive.

According to Israeli journalist Barak Ravid, the new plan was perceived by Hamas as “much more unbalanced” than previous ones because it does not explicitly stipulate that the ceasefire will continue if negotiations go beyond 60 days, nor does it bind Israel not to unilaterally break the truce.

Meanwhile, the Israeli army has carried out new attacks in southern Lebanon, near the coastal city of Sidon, targeting alleged Hezbollah military infrastructure. According to the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), the targets were sites containing missile launchers and weapons. ‘The activities of Hezbollah terrorists in those areas represent violations of the agreements between Israel and Lebanon,’ the army said.

Arab sources report that two people were killed in separate attacks. Among the victims was a municipal employee who was hit while distributing water to residents in the area.

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