A senior Israeli official told the press on Monday that Israel has refused an Egyptian proposal for a five-year ceasefire with Hamas in exchange for the release of all the hostages, he told the press on Monday. “Ideas are being floated by some Arab countries, such as a ceasefire for five years,” the official said. “There is no chance that we will agree to a truce with Hamas that will only allow it to rearm, rehabilitate itself, and continue its war against Israel with greater intensity.” Hamas is open to the proposal but absolutely refuses any suggestion of the terror group laying down its arms. The official added that Israel has shown military restraint since the end of the ceasefire in the hopes of reaching a hostage release deal. “The reason we didn’t launch an intense war at the end of the ceasefire, but only a gradual one, was to preserve chances for a hostage deal,” he said. “We want to exhaust every effort to return the hostages, and this is what influences our military operations. We’re still trying to exhaust efforts for a deal, but our patience is finite.” The official also criticized Qatar’s role in the negotiations, saying:  “At this stage, the Qataris have had a negative influence on the negotiations.” The official also admitted that the plan by US President Donald Trump to relocate Gazans is not progressing as was hoped in Israel. “We have requests from Western countries that are asking to get their citizens out. For example, Canada approached and said that there are family members who want to get out. Our principle is to facilitate the exit of those who want to leave of their own free will when there are countries that want to absorb them.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)