Hamas rejects ceasefire offer, proposes hostage release for end of war

Hamas’ chief negotiator, Khalil al-Hayya, on Thursday rejected Israel’s latest ceasefire proposal, the pro-Hamas Shehab News Agency reported. The rejected Israeli plan for a 45-day ceasefire asked for 10 living hostages to be released in exchange for over a thousand prisoners held by Israel and for Hamas to disarm in exchange, wire services reported. The plan was presented to Hamas by mediators from Egypt and Qatar.

What’s on the table? Hayya made a counteroffer. Hamas was ready to release all remaining Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, an end to the war, and a complete Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, he said. Hayya also said Hamas would not disarm. Hamas holds 59 hostages, 24 of whom are believed to be alive.

What was the first official act of the new U.S. ambassador to Israel? Newly confirmed U.S. ambassador Mike Huckabee on Friday visited the Western Wall in Jerusalem to pray for peace. He tucked a prayer for peace written by President Donald Trump into the wall at the ancient Temple site. Huckabee, a former presidential candidate and governor of Arkansas, said he was doing everything possible for the return of the hostages, the Associated Press reported.

Dig deeper: Read my report on Israel’s plans for a manned buffer zone in Gaza.