Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's far-right allies are putting pressure on him to reject a renewed ceasefire in Gaza, threatening the stability of his administration should he retreat from an attack on Hamas in Rafah.

Israel-Hamas war: Israelis call for release of hostages | Blinken's West Asia 'crisis trip'

After nearly seven months of Israel's war on Gaza, hopes for a long-awaited truce and hostage release agreement increased on Monday. According to his British counterpart, the proposal might result in the release of thousands of Palestinian detainees, and Washington's top diplomat expressed his "hopeful" acceptance of Hamas' offer.

Blinken's West Asia 'crisis trip': Blinken 'hopeful' Hamas will accept deal

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on Tuesday (Apr 30) said Israel will carry out operation in southern Gaza’s Rafah regardless of whether a ceasefire and hostage release deal is reached. Meanwhile, a report by news agency AFP citing a top Israeli official said that the government will wait until Wednesday (May 1) night for Hamas’ answer to the latest proposal.&nbsp;

<h2>‘With or without a deal’: Netanyahu</h2>

Netanyahu, on Tuesday again vowed to launch an incursion into the southern Gaza city of Rafah where millions of displaced Palestinians are sheltering amid the ongoing war between Israel and the militant group Hamas.&nbsp;

Israel’s plans for Rafah have garnered international criticism and condemnation even from its allies, but the Israeli PM has reiterated the need&nbsp;to eliminate Hamas’ battalions in the southern Gaza city in order to achieve “total victory.”

WATCH |&nbsp;US Secy of State Blinken 'hopeful' Hamas will accept Gaza deal

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“The idea that we will stop the war before achieving all of its goals is out of the question,” said Netanyahu, according to a statement by his office.&nbsp;

He added, “We will enter Rafah and we will eliminate Hamas’ battalions there – with or without a deal, to achieve the total victory.”

The Israeli PM made the remarks on Tuesday while addressing a small group of families of hostages called the Tikva Forum. The group is distinct from the large group representing the families of captive Israelis in Gaza and has reportedly put crushing Hamas over the freedom of their loved ones.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the group representing the majority of the families of captive Israelis have taken to the streets across the country calling on the government to work out a deal that brings the hostages home, saying it should take precedence over military action.

<h2>Israel to wait until Wednesday night</h2>

A report by AFP citing a top Israeli official said the government will wait until Wednesday night for a Hamas response to a Gaza truce proposal before it decides whether to send envoys to Cairo for ceasefire talks or not.&nbsp;

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“Israel will make a decision once Hamas provides their answer,” the official told AFP on condition of anonymity, adding that “we will wait for answers until Wednesday night and then decide”.&nbsp;

<h2>About the ceasefire deal</h2>

United States President Joe Biden called on the leaders of Qatar and Egypt on Monday (Apr 29) to “exert all efforts” and secure the release of hostages who have been held captive by Hamas in the Gaza Strip so that the ceasefire deal is achieved.&nbsp;

Netanyahu’s statement on Tuesday also came hours after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Israel to advance truce talks which are meant to free hostages and avert an Israeli offensive into Rafah and the potential harm to civilians there.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-egypt-qatar-agree-to-exert-all-efforts-for-hostage-release-ceasefire-deal-716469">US, Egypt, Qatar agree to 'exert all efforts' for hostage release, ceasefire deal</a>

The current deal, which is being brokered by the US, Egypt and Qatar, would see the release of dozens of hostages in exchange for a six-week halt in fighting, reported the Associated Press citing Egyptian official and Israeli media.&nbsp;

In line with the deal, hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel would also be released. Blinken, on Monday, urged Hamas to accept the latest proposal, calling it “extraordinarily generous” on Israel’s part.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on Tuesday (Apr 30) said Israel will carry out operation in southern Gaza’s Rafah regardless of whether a ceasefire and hostage release deal is reached.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on Tuesday (Apr 30) said Israel will carry out operation in southern Gaza’s Rafah regardless of whether a ceasefire and hostage release deal is reached. Meanwhile, a report by news agency AFP citing a top Israeli official said that the government will wait until Wednesday (May 1) night for Hamas’ answer to the latest proposal. ‘With or without a deal’: Netanyahu Netanyahu, on Tuesday again vowed to launch an incursion into the southern Gaza city of Rafah where millions of displaced Palestinians are sheltering amid the ongoing war between Israel and the militant group Hamas. Israel’s plans for Rafah have garnered international criticism and condemnation even from its allies, but the Israeli PM has reiterated the need to eliminate Hamas’ battalions in the southern Gaza city in order to achieve “total victory.” WATCH | US Secy of State Blinken 'hopeful' Hamas will accept Gaza deal “The idea that we will stop the war before achieving all of its goals is out of the question,” said Netanyahu, according to a statement by his office. He added, “We will enter Rafah and we will eliminate Hamas’ battalions there – with or without a deal, to achieve the total victory.” The Israeli PM made the remarks on Tuesday while addressing a small group of families of hostages called the Tikva Forum. The group is distinct from the large group representing the families of captive Israelis in Gaza and has reportedly put crushing Hamas over the freedom of their loved ones. Meanwhile, the group representing the majority of the families of captive Israelis have taken to the streets across the country calling on the government to work out a deal that brings the hostages home, saying it should take precedence over military action. Israel to wait until Wednesday night A report by AFP citing a top Israeli official said the government will wait until Wednesday night for a Hamas response to a Gaza truce proposal before it decides whether to send envoys to Cairo for ceasefire talks or not. Also Read | Turkish citizen fatally shot by Israeli police after allegedly stabbing officer in Jerusalem's Old City “Israel will make a decision once Hamas provides their answer,” the official told AFP on condition of anonymity, adding that “we will wait for answers until Wednesday night and then decide”. About the ceasefire deal United States President Joe Biden called on the leaders of Qatar and Egypt on Monday (Apr 29) to “exert all efforts” and secure the release of hostages who have been held captive by Hamas in the Gaza Strip so that the ceasefire deal is achieved. Netanyahu’s statement on Tuesday also came hours after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Israel to advance truce talks which are meant to free hostages and avert an Israeli offensive into Rafah and the potential harm to civilians there. Also Read | US, Egypt, Qatar agree to 'exert all efforts' for hostage release, ceasefire deal The current deal, which is being brokered by the US, Egypt and Qatar, would see the release of dozens of hostages in exchange for a six-week halt in fighting, reported the Associated Press citing Egyptian official and Israeli media. In line with the deal, hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel would also be released. Blinken, on Monday, urged Hamas to accept the latest proposal, calling it “extraordinarily generous” on Israel’s part. (With inputs from agencies)

Israeli forces will enter Rafah ‘with or without’ Gaza hostage deal, says PM Netanyahu

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi received a phone call on Monday from U.S. President Joe Biden to discuss the latest developments in negotiations over a ceasefire in Gaza and the dangers of a military escalation in Rafah, Egypt's presidency said.

Israel-hamas war: Biden holds separate calls with leaders from Qatar, Egypt over Gaza ceasefire

Israel-hamas war: Netanyahu faces hostage dilemma | Truce deal or Rafah assault?

US troops have begun construction of a maritime pier off the coast of Gaza that aims to speed the flow of humanitarian aid into the enclave when it becomes operational in May, the Pentagon said.

US military's pier in Gaza to cost $320 million | How will the humanitarian pier in Gaza will work?

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday urged Hamas to swiftly accept an Israeli proposal for a truce in the Gaza war and the release of Israeli hostages held by the Palestinian militant group.

Israel-hamas war: US & Britain hopeful that Hamas will accept Israeli truce proposal

China said Tuesday that rival Palestinian groups Hamas and Fatah met in Beijing recently for "in-depth and candid talks on promoting intra-Palestinian reconciliation". Watch in for more details!

China facilities reconciliation talks between Hamas and Fatah

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Monday he was hopeful Hamas would accept an "extraordinarily generous" offer to halt Israel's Gaza offensive in return for the release of hostages. Watch in for more details!

Israel-Hamas War: Blinken says he hopes Hamas quickly accepts ‘extraordinarily generous’ Gaza deal

Blinken's West Asia Trip: Blinken & Saudi Crown Prince discuss truce deal

The United States announced that five Israeli military units had committed grave human rights violations against Palestinians in the West Bank before Hamas launched its assault in the month of October, said the State Department on Monday (Apr 29).

State Department deputy spokesman Vedant Patel said that four out of these five units had taken remedial measures, however, consultations were underway over the fifth unit with the Israeli government.

"After a careful process, we found five Israeli units responsible for individual incidents of gross violations of human rights," Patel said.

Patel said that the violations took place before the Oct 7 Hamas assault and that it was not in the Gaza Strip.

He did not identify the units or specify the measures the Israeli government had taken against them.

As per the news agency AFP, press reports identified a battalion called the Netzah Yehuda comprised mainly of ultra-Orthodox Jews, as the one that was accused of abuses.&nbsp;

US law prohibits the government from funding or arming foreign security forces that have credible allegations of human rights abuses against them.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hamas-gets-40-day-ceasefire-amid-renewed-airstrikes-on-rafah-by-israel-716335">Hamas gets 40-day ceasefire offer amid airstrikes on Rafah by Israel</a>

<h2>Blinken 'hopeful' Hamas will accept Gaza deal</h2>

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday said that he was hopeful Palestinian militant group Hamas would accept an "extraordinarily generous" offer to end the Israeli offensive in Gaza in exchange for the release of hostages.

"Hamas has before it a proposal that is extraordinarily, extraordinarily generous on the part of Israel," Blinken said in Riyadh at the World Economic Forum.

"In this moment, the only thing standing between the people of Gaza and a ceasefire is Hamas," he said.

"They have to decide -- and they have to decide quickly," Blinken said. "I'm hopeful that they will make the right decision."

"We can have a fundamental change in the dynamic" in more than half a year of bloodshed, Blinken said.

(With inputs from agencies)

The United States announced that five Israeli military units had committed grave human rights violations against Palestinians in the West Bank before Hamas launched its assault in the month of October, said the State Department on Monday (Apr 29).

The United States announced that five Israeli military units had committed grave human rights violations against Palestinians in the West Bank before Hamas launched its assault in the month of October, said the State Department on Monday (Apr 29). State Department deputy spokesman Vedant Patel said that four out of these five units had taken remedial measures, however, consultations were underway over the fifth unit with the Israeli government. "After a careful process, we found five Israeli units responsible for individual incidents of gross violations of human rights," Patel said. Patel said that the violations took place before the Oct 7 Hamas assault and that it was not in the Gaza Strip. He did not identify the units or specify the measures the Israeli government had taken against them. As per the news agency AFP, press reports identified a battalion called the Netzah Yehuda comprised mainly of ultra-Orthodox Jews, as the one that was accused of abuses. US law prohibits the government from funding or arming foreign security forces that have credible allegations of human rights abuses against them. Also read: Hamas gets 40-day ceasefire offer amid airstrikes on Rafah by Israel Blinken 'hopeful' Hamas will accept Gaza deal Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday said that he was hopeful Palestinian militant group Hamas would accept an "extraordinarily generous" offer to end the Israeli offensive in Gaza in exchange for the release of hostages. "Hamas has before it a proposal that is extraordinarily, extraordinarily generous on the part of Israel," Blinken said in Riyadh at the World Economic Forum. "In this moment, the only thing standing between the people of Gaza and a ceasefire is Hamas," he said. "They have to decide -- and they have to decide quickly," Blinken said. "I'm hopeful that they will make the right decision." "We can have a fundamental change in the dynamic" in more than half a year of bloodshed, Blinken said. (With inputs from agencies)

US says five Israeli units committed abuse before Hamas attack

Blinken's West Asia trip: Blinken says, 'Accept Israel's extraordinarily generous Gaza deal'

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said he is "hopeful" Hamas will accept Israel's latest proposal for a Gaza truce and hostage release deal. Watch in for more details!

Israel-Hamas War: Blinken 'hopeful' Hamas will accept Gaza ceasefire deal

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A statement issued by the White House did not give more details of that part of the conversation. Washington has said that it could not support a Rafah operation without an appropriate and credible humanitarian plan.

Israel-hamas war: White House claims Biden reiterated position on Rafah in Netanyahu call

Israel-Hamas War: Blinken 'hopeful' Hamas will accept Israel's new ceasefire deal

In a call with Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, Joe Biden "reiterated his clear" opposition to an assault of Rafah. This comes as pressure mounts for Israel and Hamas to come to an agreement that would free some Israeli detainees and bring an end to the nearly seven-month-long conflict in Gaza.

Biden-Netanyahu discuss proposal to open more aid crossings

US President Joe Biden spoke on Sunday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and "reiterated his clear position" on a possible invasion of the Gaza border city of Rafah, the White House said.

Biden-Netanyahu phone call, discuss Rafah, hostage deal on call

According to a person acquainted with their conversation, the main topic of conversation between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden on Sunday was the release of hostages in Gaza.

Israel-hamas war: Biden discusses hostage deal and Rafah with Netanyahu on call

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On Sunday, Joe Biden "reiterated his clear" opposition to an attack on Rafah during a discussion with Benjamin Netanyahu. This occurs as pressure to reach a deal between Israel and Hamas to halt the nearly seven-month-long conflict in Gaza and release some Israeli prisoners grows.

Israel-hamas war: Joe Biden calls Netanyahu and talks about Gaza ceasefire

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A senior Hamas official on Sunday (Apr 28) said that the Palestinian militant group would announce its response to the latest Gaza ceasefire counterproposal by Israel in Egypt on Monday (Apr 29).

"A Hamas delegation headed by Khalil al-Hayya will arrive in Egypt tomorrow... and deliver the movement's response" to the Israeli proposal during a meeting with Egyptian intelligence officials, said the official who declined to be named.

Earlier this week, Egypt had sent its own delegation to restart the stalled negotiations even as the offensive in Gaza intensifies.

Egypt, Qatar and the United States have been making repeated efforts to broker a new Gaza ceasefire deal after 80 Israeli hostages were released in exchange for 240 Palestinians in the month of November following a ceasefire deal.

Diplomatic efforts have been raked up in the past few days to broker a ceasefire and hostage-release deal.

Israel in its latest proposal has expressed a willingness to discuss the "restoration of sustainable calm" in Gaza after hostages are freed, news agency AFP said citing Axios report.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/palestinian-leader-abbas-says-only-us-can-stop-israels-attack-on-rafah-715962">Palestinian President Abbas says only US can stop Israel’s attack on Rafah</a>

The report said that this was the very first time when Israel openly expressed having a discussion to put an end to the war.

"Hamas is open to discussing the new proposal positively," AFP quoted another Hamas source close to the negotiations as saying.

The source added that the group is "keen to reach an agreement that guarantees a permanent ceasefire, the free return of displaced people, an acceptable deal for (prisoner) exchange and ensuring an end to the (Gaza) siege".

The delegation, according to the source, would also discuss an Egyptian proposal concerning a ceasefire and a prisoner swap as a part of the overall deal to halt the fighting in Gaza.

He said the Egyptian proposal showed "some progress".&nbsp;

This, he said, guarantees that there would be no Israeli troops around on Al-Rashid road when displaced Palestinians make their way from the south of the territory back to the north.

It also proposes that Israeli forces remain 500 metres (yards) away from the main Salaheddin highway and also makes sure that the civilians are not shot at, arrested or detained when they return to their homes.

Al-Qahera News, which is linked to Egyptian intelligence services, reported "noticeable progress in bringing the views of the Egyptian and Israeli delegations closer".&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

A senior Hamas official on Sunday (Apr 28) said that the Palestinian militant group would announce its response to the latest Gaza ceasefire counterproposal by Israel in Egypt on Monday (Apr 29).

A senior Hamas official on Sunday (Apr 28) said that the Palestinian militant group would announce its response to the latest Gaza ceasefire counterproposal by Israel in Egypt on Monday (Apr 29). "A Hamas delegation headed by Khalil al-Hayya will arrive in Egypt tomorrow... and deliver the movement's response" to the Israeli proposal during a meeting with Egyptian intelligence officials, said the official who declined to be named. Earlier this week, Egypt had sent its own delegation to restart the stalled negotiations even as the offensive in Gaza intensifies. Egypt, Qatar and the United States have been making repeated efforts to broker a new Gaza ceasefire deal after 80 Israeli hostages were released in exchange for 240 Palestinians in the month of November following a ceasefire deal. Diplomatic efforts have been raked up in the past few days to broker a ceasefire and hostage-release deal. Israel in its latest proposal has expressed a willingness to discuss the "restoration of sustainable calm" in Gaza after hostages are freed, news agency AFP said citing Axios report. Also read: Palestinian President Abbas says only US can stop Israel’s attack on Rafah The report said that this was the very first time when Israel openly expressed having a discussion to put an end to the war. "Hamas is open to discussing the new proposal positively," AFP quoted another Hamas source close to the negotiations as saying. The source added that the group is "keen to reach an agreement that guarantees a permanent ceasefire, the free return of displaced people, an acceptable deal for (prisoner) exchange and ensuring an end to the (Gaza) siege". The delegation, according to the source, would also discuss an Egyptian proposal concerning a ceasefire and a prisoner swap as a part of the overall deal to halt the fighting in Gaza. He said the Egyptian proposal showed "some progress". This, he said, guarantees that there would be no Israeli troops around on Al-Rashid road when displaced Palestinians make their way from the south of the territory back to the north. It also proposes that Israeli forces remain 500 metres (yards) away from the main Salaheddin highway and also makes sure that the civilians are not shot at, arrested or detained when they return to their homes. Al-Qahera News, which is linked to Egyptian intelligence services, reported "noticeable progress in bringing the views of the Egyptian and Israeli delegations closer". (With inputs from agencies)

Hamas official says will respond to Israeli Gaza truce proposal in Egypt on Monday

While leaders are trying to achieve a breakthrough deal as they push for a ceasefire in Gaza but amidst the talks the plight of hostages remain uncertain. Watch in for more details!

Israel-Hamas War: Hostage deal will defer Rafah offensive: Israeli Foreign Minister

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