Gaza City: Hamas announced on Friday that it had proposed a comprehensive five-year ceasefire agreement to Israel, which was subsequently rejected by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The proposal aimed to establish a long-term peace and address multiple contentious issues simultaneously.

According to Anadolu Agency, senior Hamas official Abdel Rahman Shadid detailed the proposal's components, which included an immediate cessation of hostilities, withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, lifting of the blockade, entry of humanitarian aid, and reconstruction efforts. Shadid stated that the plan also involved exchanging Israeli prisoners held in Gaza for Palestinian detainees and forming an independent administrative committee for Gaza.

Shadid criticized Netanyahu's refusal of the proposal, accusing his government of preferring to handle issues piecemeal rather than committing to a comprehensive end to the conflict. He expressed frustration that this stance persists despite the potential cost to Israeli captives in Gaza. Moreover, Hamas has communicated to mediators its willingness to engage with any proposals that ensure a lasting ceasefire.

Shadid also held the United States and other nations supporting Israel accountable for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which he described as involving "massacres, genocide, and starvation warfare."

Current estimates indicate that 59 captives remain in Gaza, with 24 confirmed alive. In contrast, over 9,500 Palestinians are imprisoned in Israel under severe conditions, including allegations of torture and medical neglect, as reported by both Palestinian and Israeli human rights organizations.

The ongoing conflict has resulted in the deaths of more than 52,400 Palestinians in Gaza since October 2023, with a significant number being women and children. Additionally, the International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice concerning its military actions in the region.