Israel Rejects Proposal For Ceasefire Deal In Gaza And Hostage Exchange

JAKARTA - A senior Israeli official said his country had rejected a new proposed arms deal in the Gaza Strip and the exchange of hostages, dismissed reports that had previously claimed Israel agreed in principle.

"The proposal received by Israel cannot be accepted by any responsible government," the official said, without providing further details, quoted from The Times of Israel May 26.

Lebanese media affiliated with Hezbollah reported on Monday morning that Israel in principle approved a draft proposal that included a ceasefire of about 70 days, in which 10 hostages five live and five die will be released in two stages, modifying the so-called outline of the proposed US Presidential Special Envoy Steve Witkoff who set a shorter ceasefire for the release of about 10 surviving hostages.

"(The proposal) is far from the outline we want to negotiate," an Israeli official told The Jerusalem Post.

The proposal was formulated by Hamas and forwarded to the US via direct communication through the back line. The US then submitted the proposal to Israel. In particular, the US did not say whether they supported the proposal or not.

"There is no sincere desire from Hamas to continue the deal. Israel remains committed to Witkoff's framework," the Israeli official said.

According to a Al-Mayadeen report, the latest discussions mediated by Donald Trump's Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff and Palestinian-American businessman Bishara Bahbah ended this morning. However, it was not stated where the talks were held or who was involved.