Hamas has rejected an Israeli proposal for a week-long truce in the Gaza Strip in return for the release of some 40 hostages, including all women and children the terror group still holds, according to a report Wednesday.

According to the information , citing Egyptian officials, the Wall Street Journal reported that under the rejected proposal, Hamas would also free elderly male hostages who require urgent medical care. In exchange, Israel would halt air and ground operations in Gaza for a week and allow increased aid into the coastal territory.

But Hamas reportedly told Egyptian mediators Israel must pause its offensive in the Strip before they will discuss any potential deal.

Israel has said it will not halt its military campaign, and that this condition is a non-starter for talks.

The Egyptian officials quoted by the Wall Street Journal said Hamas’s dismissal of the proposal should not be seen as a failure in the negotiations, and that the terror group rejected the offer in an effort to wriggle further concession from Israel.

Even then, the report said "Islamic Jihad" demanded that Israel free all Palestinian prisoners for the release of all remaining hostages — estimated at some 100.

www.anews.az