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Israel-Gaza ceasefire talks: Netanyahu says Israel cannot accept Hamas demands Israel-Gaza ceasefire talks: Israel closes Kerem Shalom crossing as missiles fired from Gaza
(about 2 hours later)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly insisted his forces will press ahead with a ground offensive in Rafah The attack on the border crossing comes as talks are held to broker a truce between Israel and Hamas
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel will not accept Hamas's demands for Israel to end the Gaza war. Israel has closed the Kerem Shalom crossing with the Gaza Strip after 10 rockets were fired, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) has said.
It comes as negotiators were resuming talks in Egypt to broker a pause in Israel's Gaza offensive in return for the release of hostages taken by Hamas. At least 10 people were injured in the attack by Hamas, Israeli media report.
The main sticking point appears to be if the truce will be permanent - as Hamas insists - or not. The crossing is one of the few routes to get humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Mr Netanyahu said the proposed deal would keep Hamas in control of Gaza, posing a threat to Israel. The attack comes as mediators in Egypt hold talks to broker a ceasefire - and to release Israeli hostages. Israel has said it will not accept Hamas's demands to end the Gaza war.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the proposed deal would keep Hamas in control of Gaza, posing a threat to Israel.
Hamas sent a delegation to Cairo on Saturday.
The main sticking point appears to be whether the truce will be permanent - as Hamas insists - or not.
It is thought the wording being discussed in the Cairo talks involves a 40-day pause in fighting while hostages are released, and the release of a number of Palestinian prisoners being held in Israeli jails.It is thought the wording being discussed in the Cairo talks involves a 40-day pause in fighting while hostages are released, and the release of a number of Palestinian prisoners being held in Israeli jails.
An adviser to the Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said the group was looking at the latest proposal with "full seriousness". An adviser to the Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said the group was looking at the latest proposal with "full seriousness". But he repeated a demand that any deal would have to explicitly include an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and complete end to the war.
But he repeated a demand that any deal would have to explicitly include an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and complete end to the war.
Speaking on Sunday, Mr Netanyahu said: "We are not ready to accept a situation in which the Hamas battalions come out of their bunkers, take control of Gaza again, rebuild their military infrastructure, and return to threatening the citizens of Israel in the surrounding communities, in the cities of the south, in all parts of the country."
"Israel will not agree to Hamas' demands," he added.
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Separately, an anonymous Israeli government official told local media on Saturday that Israel would "under no circumstances agree to end the war as part of an agreement to free our abductees". Speaking on Sunday, Mr Netanyahu said: "The state of Israel cannot accept this [Hamas's demands], we are not prepared to accept a situation in which the Hamas brigades come out of their bunkers, take control of Gaza again, rebuild their military infrastructure, and return to threatening the citizens of Israel in the settlements surrounding the southern mountains, in all parts of the country."
They added: "The IDF will enter Rafah and destroy the remaining Hamas battalions there - whether there is a temporary pause to free our captives or not." "This will be a terrible defeat for the state of Israel," he added.
Mr Netanyahu has faced pressure from within his far-right coalition to press ahead with the long-promised offensive in Gaza's southern-most city, where an estimated 1.4 million people have taken shelter after fleeing fighting in northern and central parts of the strip. The war began after waves of Hamas gunmen stormed across Gaza's border into Israel on 7 October, killing about 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages. The group is proscribed as a terrorist organisation by many Western countries.
During the subsequent Israeli military campaign in Gaza, more than 34,600 Palestinians have been killed and over 77,900 wounded, according to figures from the territory's Hamas-run health ministry.
Mr Netanyahu has faced pressure from within his far-right coalition to press ahead with the long-promised offensive in Gaza's southern-most city, Rafah, where an estimated 1.4 million people have taken shelter after fleeing fighting in northern and central parts of the strip.
The US - Israel's biggest diplomatic and military ally - is reluctant to back a new offensive that could cause significant civilian casualties, and has insisted on seeing a plan to protect displaced Palestinians first.The US - Israel's biggest diplomatic and military ally - is reluctant to back a new offensive that could cause significant civilian casualties, and has insisted on seeing a plan to protect displaced Palestinians first.
The main sticking point in talks appears to be whether a ceasefire would be temporary or permanentThe main sticking point in talks appears to be whether a ceasefire would be temporary or permanent
The Israeli government also faces mounting pressure at home. Thousands of Israelis rallied Saturday night calling for a deal to bring hostages home.The Israeli government also faces mounting pressure at home. Thousands of Israelis rallied Saturday night calling for a deal to bring hostages home.
Protesters in Tel Aviv chanted "war is not holy, life is", with some accusing Mr Netanyahu of aiming to prolong the conflict in Gaza.Protesters in Tel Aviv chanted "war is not holy, life is", with some accusing Mr Netanyahu of aiming to prolong the conflict in Gaza.
Saturday's demonstrations in Israel were the latest display of the increased domestic pressure Mr Netanyahu is facing to secure the return of the hostages. Of the 252 hostages who were kidnapped by Hamas on 7 October, 128 are still unaccounted for - and among them, at least 34 are presumed dead.
Of the 252 who were kidnapped by Hamas on 7 October, 128 are still unaccounted for - and among them, at least 34 are presumed dead. Bowen: Israel denies famine looms in Gaza, but evidence is overwhelming
Natalie Eldor, a protester in Tel Aviv, told Reuters news agency she was there to "support a deal now, yesterday".
"We need to bring all the hostages back, the live ones, the dead ones. We got to bring them back. We got to switch this government," she added.
Some who gathered at the Kirya military base in Tel Aviv accused the prime minister of undermining the proposed truce, while others called for an end to the war.
Addressing the prospects of a truce on Saturday, minister Benny Gantz, a member of Israel's war cabinet, said: "An official response to the outline has not yet been received. When accepted - the war management cabinet will meet and discuss it.
"Until then, I suggest to the 'political sources' and all decision-makers to wait for official updates, to act calmly and not to get into hysteria for political reasons."
Ceasefire talks have gone on for months without a breakthrough, and there has not been a pause in fighting or a release of hostages since the end of November.Ceasefire talks have gone on for months without a breakthrough, and there has not been a pause in fighting or a release of hostages since the end of November.
There have been moments at which a new agreement has seemed imminent - only to fall through before being signed.There have been moments at which a new agreement has seemed imminent - only to fall through before being signed.
A source familiar with this latest round of discussions told the BBC that the negotiations were still complex, and any breakthrough could still take several days.A source familiar with this latest round of discussions told the BBC that the negotiations were still complex, and any breakthrough could still take several days.
Meanwhile, the head of the United Nations' World Food Programme has warned that northern Gaza is now experiencing a "full-blown famine".
Cindy McCain warned the catastrophic situation in the territory was spreading south in an interview with US media.
"What we are asking for and what we've continually asked for is a ceasefire and the ability to have unfettered access to get in safe," Ms McCain said.
Bowen: Israel denies famine looms in Gaza, but evidence is overwhelming
The war began after waves of Hamas gunmen stormed across Gaza's border into Israel on 7 October, killing about 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages. The group is proscribed as a terrorist organisation by many Western countries.
During the subsequent Israeli military campaign in Gaza, more than 34,600 Palestinians have been killed and over 77,900 wounded, according to figures from the territory's Hamas-run health ministry.
Additional reporting by Anna Foster and Andre Rhoden-Paul
Related TopicsRelated Topics
Israel-Gaza warIsrael-Gaza war
IsraelIsrael
HamasHamas