Netanyahu Rejects Hamas Ceasefire Demands, Shuts Down Al Jazeera's Israel Office

Delivering a defiant message on Holocaust Remembrance Day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shut down talks of a ceasefire with Hamas, citing an unwillingness to comply with the militant group's demands for ending the escalating conflict in Gaza.

Despite the absence of an Israeli delegation in Cairo for truce negotiations, Netanyahu firmly asserted Israel's position, stating, "We cannot accept a situation in which the Hamas brigades come out of their bunkers, take control of Gaza again, rebuild their military infrastructure, and return to threatening the citizens of Israel."

The prime minister's uncompromising stance came as he condemned international criticism and a perceived rise in anti-Semitism surrounding Israel's defensive actions in Gaza. "If Israel is forced to stand alone, Israel will stand alone," Netanyahu declared. "No nation came to our aid. Today, we again confront enemies bent on our destruction. I say to the leaders of the world, no amount of pressure, no decision by any international forum, will stop Israel from defending itself."

The deadliest conflict in Gaza erupted after Hamas launched an assault on Israel, resulting in over 1,170 casualties, primarily civilians. Israel's retaliatory campaign has claimed the lives of at least 34,683 individuals in Gaza, predominantly women and children, according to the health ministry of the Hamas-controlled territory.

On Sunday, the Israeli military reported that an onslaught of rockets launched from the blockaded Gaza Strip towards the Kerem Shalom border crossing resulted in the deaths of three soldiers and injuries to a dozen more, with three in critical condition. Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack, prompting Israel to close the crossing used for delivering aid into Gaza.

While Hamas said its delegation was departing Cairo for consultations in Qatar, Netanyahu stated that complying with demands to cease the war would equate to surrender. Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas's political leader based in Qatar, accused Netanyahu of undermining the negotiations.

Amidst the escalating tensions, CIA director Bill Burns is headed to Doha for "emergency" talks on mediation efforts with Qatari officials.

In a controversial move, Netanyahu announced a government decision to shut down the operations of Al Jazeera, the Qatar-based news channel providing continuous coverage of the conflict. The channel ceased broadcasting shortly after the announcement, denouncing Israel's action as a "criminal act" and pledging legal recourse.

Despite reservations from the United States, other nations, and humanitarian organizations, Netanyahu has vowed to launch an invasion of Rafah, a city in the southern Gaza Strip, regardless of any ceasefire agreement.