Egypt places new ceasefire proposal, Hamas rejects

The Palestinian resistance group Hamas has rejected a new ceasefire proposal placed by Egypt due to its condition of disarmament.

In a statement to Al Jazeera, a senior Hamas official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that Hamas representatives were surprised by the inclusion of a clause in Egypt’s proposal that calls for the disarmament of the resistance movement in Gaza.

He said, "Egypt has made it clear that no ceasefire agreement is possible without discussing the disarmament of the resistance. However, for Hamas, weapons are not a subject of negotiation. The basis of a ceasefire should be an end to attacks on Gaza and the withdrawal of Israeli forces."

Israel has repeatedly emphasised that in order to end the war, Hamas must be defeated, and as part of that, the group must surrender its weapons.

Earlier, under pressure from the international community, including the United States, Israel had agreed to a temporary ceasefire in Gaza on January 19. However, by mid-March, the ceasefire was broken, as Israel resumed airstrikes on Gaza.

According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, since the new wave of Israeli attacks began on March 18, a total of 1,574 people have been killed and 4,115 injured so far.