Hamas rejects latest ceasefire proposal, says ‘Israel is ignoring core demands’

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Gaza, AP reported. In a statement late Monday, the militant group said it had informed mediators that it was sticking to its original position, conveyed earlier in March.

It said Israel had not responded to its core demands of a “comprehensive cease-fire, an (Israeli) withdrawal from the Strip, the return of displaced people and a real prisoner exchange." Also Read: US ‘perplexed’ by Benjamin Netanyahu's cancellation of Israeli delegation's US visit The statement was issued shortly following the approval of a resolution by the United Nations Security Council, which urged for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the liberation of all captives detained in Gaza. The vote sparked a dispute between Israel and the United States, with the latter choosing not to exercise its veto power on Monday.

Consequently, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cancelled a scheduled visit of a high-level delegation to Washington. Netanyahu has rejected Hamas' demands, calling them “delusional." He has vowed to resume Israel's offensive after any hostage release and keep fighting until Hamas is destroyed.

The last update in my training data is from January 2022. As of that time, Hamas is designated as a terrorist organization by several countries and organizations, including the United States, the European Union, Israel, and others.

Also Read: 'Money, Election, Respect...': 5 reasons why US abstained from voting on Gaza ceasefire resolution in UNSC AP reported that an independent expert working with the UN's top human rights body said Monday that there are “reasonable grounds" to believe Israel is carrying out genocide in Gaza. International aid officials say the entire population of the Gaza Strip — 2.3 million people — is suffering