In the midst of escalating tensions between Hamas and Israel, Hamas has adamantly stated that it will not engage in any prisoner exchange or ceasefire negotiations until Israeli aggression against the Palestinian Gaza Strip ceases entirely.

Reports from reliable sources indicate that Hamas leadership made this stance clear following a meeting with Egyptian mediators, including CIA Director William Burns, held in Cairo over the weekend. Despite speculation of a potential ceasefire, Hamas remains resolute in its demand for an end to the ongoing Israeli attacks.

Senior Hamas leader Hisham Bardan emphasized in an interview with Al Jazeera that while Hamas is committed to reaching an agreement to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people, it will not compromise its principles. Bardan accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of manipulating ceasefire talks for political gain, expressing concern over Netanyahu's threats to escalate violence in Gaza's Rafah city if an agreement is not reached within a week.

Meanwhile, Israeli authorities have given Hamas a seven-day ultimatum to agree to a prisoner exchange deal, threatening military action against Rafah if their demands are not met. However, Hamas views these threats as obstacles to meaningful negotiations.

Despite efforts by Egypt to mediate discussions between Israel and Hamas, no agreement has been reached thus far. Hamas insists that any ceasefire must include a permanent cessation of Israeli aggression and the withdrawal of occupation forces from Gaza.

In response to reports suggesting a potential new proposal from Hamas, influential Hamas leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinawwar, has yet to comment on the matter. The proposed agreement reportedly includes a 40-day ceasefire period, during which Israeli and Palestinian hostages would be released in phases.

The current escalation comes against the backdrop of longstanding tensions between Israel and Hamas, with Gaza experiencing severe humanitarian crises as a result of repeated Israeli offensives. The United Nations has warned of the dire situation in Gaza, where over 32,000 Palestinians have been killed and hundreds of thousands displaced due to Israeli attacks.

As the situation continues to unfold, international pressure mounts on both sides to prioritize diplomacy and seek a peaceful resolution to the conflict. However, the road to a ceasefire remains uncertain as Hamas stands firm in its demands for justice and an end to Israeli aggression.