Israel rejects U.S. and UN’s cease-fire proposal

World Today

The cease-fire plan brokered by the U.S. and the UN was rejected by Israel. CCTV-America’s Roee Ruttenberg reports.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Friday that more work was needed to reach a deal between Israel and Hamas for a seven-day truce.

Israel was dissatisfied with the proposed plan because, according to Israeli media, the military wants more time to complete their mission of destroying Hamas military tunnels underneath the Gaza-Israel border.

Hamas wants the release of all Palestinian prisoners and an end to the border blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt after the group seized control of the area from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is willing to consider 12-hour cease-fire proposed by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. Israel has warned, however, that they may expand their ground campaign.

Despite the truce efforts, the fighting continued. Israeli airstrikes hit more than 80 sites in Gaza, while Gazan militants fired 50 rockets at Israel.

So far, 828 Palestinians and 38 people in Israel have been killed in the conflict.

Israel rejects U.S. and UN's cease-fire proposal

The cease-fire plan brokered by the U.S. and the UN was rejected by Israel. CCTV-America's Roee Ruttenberg reports.

Former Gaza refugee Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish joined CCTV-America’s Elaine Reyes to discuss the difficulties of living through this age-old conflict.
Follow Dr. Abuelaish on Twitter: @DrAbuelaish

Former Gaza refugee on the Israel-Gaza crisis

Former Gaza refugee Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish joined CCTV-America's Elaine Reyes to discuss the difficulties of living through this age-old conflict.

Report compiled with information from The Associated Press.