Hamas Rejects PLO Ceasefire Plan on Bloody Day in Gaza

Hamas officials said that a Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) proposal for a 72-hour ceasefire has been rejected by the militant jihadist group. 

According to a Hamas spokesman, “We will not agree to calm until Israel commits to quiet. If we get an international commitment regarding an Israeli agreement for calm, we will consider it.” Earlier reports stated that the PLO, consisting of Fatah, Hamas, and Islamic Jihad, had agreed to a 24-hour ceasefire. The unilateral truce then insisted that both parties meet and move forward on an Egyptian proposal for a long-term ceasefire. A Fatah official had said that Hamas had originally consented to the ceasefire terms.

Hamas is reportedly contemplating a 24-hour truce with Israel, but there is no information as to when the temporary ceasefire would begin. Khaled Mashaal, the chairman of Hamas who is based in Qatar, reportedly said Hamas is willing to accept a 24-hour truce but had few details in addition to the statement.

Hamas has already broken several ceasefires to which it had agreed over the past couple weeks, so it would come as no surprise if Israel decided to react to the proposal with skepticism. Israel has thus far held up its end of the bargain on seven different temporary unilateral ceasefires. The IDF completely stopped offensive activity, only firing if fired upon.

Tuesday has become a bloody day for Gazans, as over 100 have died between midnight and 4:00 p.m. local time.

Israel has officially suspended Arab Knesset member Hanin Zoabi from the legislative body for inciting terror. She said on Al Jazeera recently, “The Palestinian resistance will not surrender.” Zoabi was on board the Mavi Marmara, a ship sent from Turkey to break through Israel’s Gaza blockade. When IDF forces came under fire from the crew, Israeli forces responded by opening fire on the terrorists, killing nine of them.

While Israel has allowed for the free expression of thought as it pertains to anti-war protests in its cities, Hamas does not permit such displays. According to Israel’s Channel 10 news, 20 Gazans who took part in anti-war protests were immediately rounded up and shot dead Tuesday. Hamas claims that the anti-war protesters were collaborating with the IDF.