Israel Confirms it Will Not Accept Any Ceasefire Agreed to by Hamas

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that his government will categorically refuse any ceasefire proposal accepted by Hamas, including “any article, clause, or even idea” approved by the organisation.

“Adding my signature next to Hamas’s is nothing but a Qatari plot to frame me as a traitor, complicit with the enemy,” said Mr Netanyahu, “and I will fight any and all attempts at doing so, even if I have to descend into Rafah, Judea and Samaria, the new American seaport, Beirut, Baghdad, or Doha to do it myself.”

Mr Netanyahu had emerged from a War Cabinet meeting into the press room—wiping a glob of spit off his face, reportedly courtesy of Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir—to tell journalists in attendance that Hamas's acceptance of the ceasefire proposal had lobbed the proverbial ball in his court. "Yes, it's on my turf, in my stadium, among my supporters,” said Mr Netanyahu, “but I’m going to tear it up and shove it up William Burns’ backside to end this game, unless Hamas gets a red card."