Egyptian Plan to End Israeli-Palestinian Air War Reportedly Rejected by Hamas

David Silverman/Getty Images(JERUSALEM) — The militant group Hamas has reportedly rejected a proposal by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry designed to stop its week-long air war with Israel, resulting in scores of fatalities, virtually all on the Palestinian side. Meanwhile, The Jerusalem Post reported that the Israeli Security Cabinet accepted the plan but would respond with force if Hamas continues firing rockets into Israel.

The Egyptian government presented its initiative Monday that calls for a cease-fire beginning Tuesday, a 48-hour cooling-down period and talks that would result in a more concrete truce.

Ultimately, Hamas wants Palestinian prisoners released and an easing of border restrictions, while the Israelis seek to dismantle the group’s weapons ability. Even before Hamas’ denunciation of the peace proposal, it was unclear what each side would agree to should talks take place.

So far, at least 185 people in Gaza have died, many of them civilians, with 1,100 people reported wounded. Israel, with its seemingly impenetrable missile shield, has suffered no deaths.

Secretary of State John Kerry is on his way to Cairo to discuss particulars of the plan by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, which is taking no sides in the dispute.

In other developments, Hamas claimed Monday that it sent homemade drones over Israel after Israel said that it had shot down a Palestinian drone flying along the coast.

Meanwhile, Israeli troops have amassed at the border of Gaza, awaiting word for a possible land offensive that could wind up being long and costly for both Israel and the Palestinians.


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