Cameron and Blinken urge Hamas to accept ‘generous’ Israeli ceasefire proposal

The US and UK urged Hamas to accept what they both described as a “generous” ceasefire proposal by Israel. 

Foreign Secretary David Cameron said the “generous” proposal includes a 40-day pause in fighting as well as releasing thousands of Palestinian prisoners in return for Israeli hostages.

“I hope Hamas do take this deal and frankly, all the pressure in the world and all the eyes in the world should be on them today saying ‘take that deal,'” he said.

Cameron’s American counterpart, Antony Blinken, reiterated his call, saying: “Hamas has before it a proposal that is extraordinarily, extraordinarily generous on the part of Israel. And in this moment the only thing standing between the people of Gaza and a ceasefire is Hamas.”

“They have to decide and they have to decide quickly. I’m hopeful that they will make the right decision,” he added.

The deal on currently on the table only includes around 33 hostages, according to New York Times. The number of hostages discussed in the past months of negotiations was 40, but has now been lowered as some of those expected to be part of the first batch have died (women, elderly and ill).

Hamas has rejected the last five ceasefire proposals, inciting on a permanent truce as well as a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing two opposing ultimatum from different members of his government.

Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir both said they don’t support the ceasefire deal,  with Smotrich threatening to topple Netanyahu if he agrees to a “humiliating surrender to the Nazis on the backs of hundreds of IDF soldiers.”

“If you decide to fly a white flag and cancel the order to conquer Rafah immediately to complete the mission of destroying Hamas and restore peace for the residents of southern Israel and all of the country’s citizens, and return our abducted brothers and sisters who are held hostage to their homes – then the government you head will have no right of existence,” Smotrich said.

Ben-Gvir echoed Smotrich, saying that a “reckless deal equals the dissolution of the government.”

War cabinet minister Benny Gantz issues his own ultimatum to Netanyahu, saying: “If a responsible outline is reached for the return of the hostages with the backing of the entire security establishment — which does not involve ending the war — and the ministers who led the government on October 7 prevent it, the government will have no right to continue to exist and lead the campaign.: