Hamas rejects Egypt peace plan in Gaza

Egyptian sources told Reuters news service on Monday that leaders from the Gaza-based terrorist groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad turned down a plan to remove their control of the Gaza Strip in exchange for an end to the fighting. Egypt proposed the plan, which would have included a prisoner-for-hostage exchange—Hamas would return at least 50 hostages and Israel would return more than 100 Palestinians from its prisons—along with a ceasefire agreement. The plan would have also established a permanent Palestinian government in Gaza.

How many have died recently in the conflict? At least 17 Israeli soldiers died in fighting last weekend. Israeli strikes have continued near the Nuseirat, Maghazi and Bureij refugee camps in central Gaza camps, residents have claimed.

Dig deeper: Read Jerry Bowyer’s column in WORLD Opinions highlighting the strange allies of Hamas.