Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains belligerent in continuing the war on Gaza, despite mounting pressure from the US and other countries to accept the proposed truce deal to end the war.
The unswayed Netanyahu, who has already instructed the Israeli forces to intensify their military actions in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where a large population of displaced people has sought refuge, stated that there will be no end to the war until there is complete victory over Hamas.
Netanyahu's rejection of the truce deal seems to be an attempt to eradicate Palestinians from the Gaza Strip under the guise of fighting Hamas. So far, the death toll of civilians, mostly children and women, has risen to 28,000, which is akin to genocide when analysing the targeted killing of children and women.
Despite international calls for de-escalation, Netanyahu asserted that it would take months of continued fighting before Hamas could be defeated, signalling a prolonged conflict ahead. He rejected the Biden administration's efforts to broker a ceasefire, insisting on military action to dismantle Hamas.
Meanwhile, talks are underway to remove Netanyahu amidst his declining popularity and international status as a war criminal, with the US engaging with the Israeli opposition. Netanyahu is also reported to be ready to unleash maximum destruction in Gaza before his impending departure from office, even at the expense of diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.
The rejection of the ceasefire proposal by Israel's leadership also highlights the political challenges faced by Netanyahu domestically. With plummeting poll ratings and a hawkish governing coalition, Netanyahu is under pressure to demonstrate a strong stance against Hamas, even at the expense of diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.
Hamas, in response, accused Netanyahu of pursuing a campaign of "genocide" against Palestinians and announced plans for a delegation to travel to Cairo for negotiations within the framework of Egyptian-Qatari efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement.
An Egyptian official disclosed that a new round of negotiations aimed at achieving calm in Gaza would commence in Cairo on Thursday, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
The current round of fighting, described as the deadliest in the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, has resulted in over 28,000 Palestinian casualties, extensive destruction of infrastructure, and a humanitarian crisis with a quarter of Gaza's population facing starvation.
Netanyahu's rejection of the ceasefire proposal underscores Israel's determination to pursue a military solution, raising concerns about the potential for further escalation and civilian casualties.
Meanwhile, Blinken acknowledged the challenges in bridging the gap between Israel and Hamas but maintained optimism about the possibility of reaching an agreement. He emphasized the need for relentless diplomatic efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas and pave the way for a lasting ceasefire.
Hamas had proposed a detailed three-phase plan, involving the release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, reconstruction of Gaza, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces. However, Netanyahu dismissed the proposal as "delusional" and insisted on continued military pressure.
Amidst the escalating tensions, concerns have been raised about the possibility of an Israeli ground offensive in Rafah, which UN officials warn could result in a "large-scale loss of life" and potential war crimes. Netanyahu's vow to target all parts of Gaza in the offensive has further heightened apprehensions about the humanitarian impact of such actions.
Efforts by Blinken to advance ceasefire talks and promote a broader post-war settlement, including the normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel, have faced resistance from Netanyahu, who opposes Palestinian statehood. The deadlock in negotiations underscores the deep-rooted divisions and complexities underlying the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.