After Hamas rejects offer for short-term Gaza ceasefire, diplomat says negotiations still ongoing

After the US reveals that Hamas rejected an Egyptian offer for a short-term ceasefire in Gaza, a diplomat familiar with the matter tells The Times of Israel that discussions are still ongoing and that mediators are still trying to broker an agreement.

The Egyptian proposal envisioned a 12-day ceasefire during which Hamas would agree to release four hostages and the sides would hold talks about a permanent ceasefire.

But Hamas made clear that it would only agree to a short-term deal that includes guarantees for a longer-term one, and the Egyptian proposal stopped short of such an assurance, given Israel’s refusal to agree.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was recorded just last week saying he would not agree to end the war in exchange for the remaining 101 hostages, as he faces pressure from far-right coalition partners to continue fighting in Gaza.

The diplomat speaking to The Times of Israel says all options are on the table to try and secure a deal and that the sides are watching to see the results of the US election in order to determine how to respond.