Israel has rejected a proposal for a five-year ceasefire in Gaza that would have included the release of all Israeli prisoners, Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported on Sunday.An unnamed senior Israeli political source told the paper that Israel will not agree to a ceasefire that allegedly ‘allows Hamas to rearm and prepare for future attacks’.Meanwhile, Maariv newspaper reported that Israel’s Security Cabinet will hold its third meeting this week tonight to decide on expanding attacks on Gaza.

Two days ago, Hamas announced it was ready for a full prisoner exchange and a five-year ceasefire to end the genocide in Gaza. The resistance movement had previously proposed several plans to release all Israeli prisoners and end the genocide but Israel rejected them all.Tahir al-Nunu, media adviser to Hamas political bureau chief Khalil Al-Hayya, said the movement is open to a long-term truce but refuses to disarm. Sources close to the ongoing negotiations told Reuters that Hamas hopes to gain support from mediators for the proposal. 

They added that Hamas could agree to a ceasefire lasting between five and seven years, in exchange for ending the genocide, allowing Gaza’s reconstruction, and exchanging prisoners. While Hamas insists on a comprehensive agreement, Israel demands the return of all Israeli prisoners and the disarmament of Palestinian resistance factions without ending the genocide. In parallel, families of Israeli prisoners have called for a mass rally in Tel Aviv next Wednesday, ahead of Israel’s so-called “Independence Day”, which celebrates the Nakba.

Tensions also flared during Netanyahu’s recent court appearance on corruption charges. Families of Israeli prisoners shouted at him, accusing him of abandoning their loved ones in Gaza.Israel estimates that 59 Israelis remain imprisoned in Gaza. Meanwhile, Israeli detention centres hold at least 10,000 Palestinians. Many Palestinian detainees face torture, starvation, and medical neglect, which has led to dozens of deaths.Since Israel resumed the genocide in Gaza on March 18, more than 2,000 Palestinians have been killed and about 4,500 injured. Over 1000 of them are children.The Ministry of Health reports that Israel’s assault has killed 52,314 Palestinians and wounded 117,792 others since October 7, 2023.