Jerusalem – Israel rejected on Friday international proposals for a ceasefire in its fight against Islamist militants in Gaza, but is discussing changes to the truce plan with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, a government source said.
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Mediators hope that a truce could come into force ahead of a Muslim festival that starts early next week, but they have struggled to resolve seemingly irreconcilable demands from Israel and Hamas-led fighters, locked in conflict since July 8.
Hamas, which wants an end to an Israeli-Egyptian blockade of Gaza before agreeing to halt hostilities, has yet to respond to the ceasefire proposition, which has not been made public.
The Israeli source, who declined to be named, said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security cabinet had turned down the plan because it did not let Israel carry on hunting down Hamas’s tunnel network that criss-crosses the Gaza border.
“Kerry’s proposal leans (too much) towards Hamas’s demands,” said the source.
The ministers took a break with the onset of the Jewish Sabbath but were told to be on stand-by to reconvene if necessary, indicating that the decision was not final, the reports said.
Israeli government officials were not immediately available for comment.
Now Hamas WILL accept. To look good
Omaba wants change two. and transparancy also.
Of course they rejected . Why stop now ? Now finish the job!!
One can only imagine the terms of Kerry-obama ceasefire. Israel caves, leaves the job unfinished and Hamas’s demands are met, so they are rewarded for their terror, they are not dismantled or forced to disarm, and they gradually rebuild their arsenal and tunnels.
Who remembers when israel was wild that hamas ym”s dont want peace cause they rejected the first cease-fire? Now we all see is the same they also dont want peace
Reply to 5. You are not comparing apples to apples. Hamas is being bombed. They are not in any position to make demands. They should be kissing Israel’s toes, begging for a ceasefire. Not demanding that we leave their terror tunnels and missiles. You want us to stop bombarding you? Get rid of your weapons!
please don’t accept this nonsense- finish the job so that those that died will not be in vain. For heaven sake the rockets are still flying clearly thee are still issues -would you think?
These cease fires are all jokes because Hamas admits to wanting every last Jew out of the entire Israel. It will just sure Hamas’ larger goal of gaining more access. Hasn’t israel given enough? Should they now further open the borders to those who are blatantly out to kill them.
hamas want’s to kill ALL jews weaver we are and thats the truth