**Hamas Rejects US-Backed Ceasefire Plan Amid Ongoing Conflict in Gaza**

**A senior Hamas official confirmed the group's refusal of a US-brokered ceasefire plan, citing unmet demands for an end to hostilities. As fighting intensifies, the humanitarian situation in Gaza worsens, with significant casualties and displacement reported.**

A senior official from Hamas has publicly announced the group’s rejection of a new ceasefire proposal backed by the United States and Israel. The plan, presented by US envoy Steve Witkoff, envisions Hamas exchanging 10 living hostages and the bodies of 18 others for a 60-day ceasefire and a release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. In a statement, the Hamas official articulated that the proposal failed to meet essential demands, such as a complete halt to the war.

The Israeli government has reportedly signaled its acceptance of the plan, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed skepticism regarding Hamas’s willingness to release hostages. Reports from Israeli media noted that Netanyahu informed families of the hostages that the government backs Witkoff's plan, emphasizing that military operations would continue until all hostages are secured.

Since mid-March, Israel has ramped up military operations against Hamas after a two-month ceasefire fell apart, with Israeli forces aiming to pressure the militant group into releasing 58 hostages, many of whom may still be alive. Meanwhile, the ongoing conflict has led to an alarming humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with around 4,000 casualties and significant displacement as the UN reports over 600,000 people forced from their homes.

Communications between Hamas and mediators continue, but the group has criticized the US proposal for lacking assurances about generating a permanent ceasefire. The humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate, with reports suggesting famine conditions may occur due to ongoing blockades hinder aid deliveries.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that discussions for a ceasefire are ongoing, with hopes of returning hostages home highlighted. However, the resilience of conflict remains, as Israeli military operations persist, and humanitarian assessments depict dire circumstances for Gaza's population under siege.

The backdrop for these talks dates back to early October 2023, when hostilities dramatically escalated following an assault on Israel that resulted in around 1,200 casualties and numerous hostages taken. Despite the advances in negotiations for temporary ceasefire agreements, challenges remain in bridging the divide between conflicting demands of both sides.

As fighting continues, with recent strikes reported to have caused many casualties, including over 54 deaths on a single day, the road to peace remains fraught with difficulties, and both Hamas and Israeli forces stand firm in their respective positions.