Palestinian groups have rejected an offer from Egyptian officials to release injured Israeli hostages, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal. The Egyptian negotiators were unable to convince the Palestinian groups to agree to the release, the report states.
Efforts by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to de-escalate tensions between Israel and Palestine through phone negotiations with colleagues in the region have also proven unsuccessful, the report adds.
Previously, Hamas representative Hazem Qasem, from the ruling faction in the Gaza Strip, stated that there can be no ceasefire with Israel as long as they continue to escalate the war. On October 7th, Hamas forces launched thousands of rockets into Israeli territory, announcing the start of the “Flood of Al-Aqsa” operation. In response, Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir declared a state of emergency in the country.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that the country is in a state of war. The Israel Defense Forces’ operation against Hamas has been named “Iron Swords.”
Earlier, the Israeli police had predicted the duration of the conflict escalation.
