Israel denies being shown new cease-fire plan from Egypt, as Hamas responds positively to it
Israel denied it was given any new proposed peace deal by Egyptian negotiators Monday, even as Hamas said its leaders had “responded positively’’ to the plan.The proposed deal would involve the Palestinian terror group releasing five hostages, including the final American being held, Edan Alexander, an Egyptian official said Monday — a day after Israeli airstrikes reportedly killed more than 60 people in the Gaza Strip.In return, Israel would allow the flow of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip again and end the bombardment of the territory for a week, as well as release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.A Hamas official said his group had “responded positively” to the proposal but did not give further details, speaking to AP on condition of anonymity.But Israel denied being presented with any new proposal to pause the conflict and release further hostages including Alexander, who was supposed to have been freed earlier this month, before Hamas reneged on the arrangement.“We haven’t heard of any new proposal,” an Israeli official told the Times of Israel.Israel’s main aim is still to get Hamas to agree to the US-backed “Witkoff proposal,” the official added.That proposal would have seen the cease-fire between Israel and Hamas extended through April 19 and have Hamas release five hostages in return for Palestinian security prisoners.Israel has said it “will keep increasing the pressure until Hamas breaks” if the group doesn’t agree to Israel’s terms, the official said.Israeli forces “will embark on a widespread ground campaign” in Gaza if Hamas doesn’t agree to the terms, the official said.More than 500 Palestinians have reportedly been killed since the resumption of fighting in the Gaza Strip on March 18, according to the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in the territory.The developments came as an Israeli airstrike on a Gaza hospital killed a top Hamas official Saturday night.Ismail Barhoum, 56, a member of Hamas’ Politburo, di...