In the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that he "cannot accept" Hamas' demands to end the war, as peace talks mediated by Egypt show little signs of progress. Both sides have exchanged blame as tensions mount and hopes for a ceasefire fade away.

The discussions, centered around a proposed framework put forward by Cairo, focused on Hamas releasing hostages kidnapped from Israel in exchange for a temporary halt in hostilities. However, a Hamas delegation has departed Egypt after weeks of grueling talks, acknowledging "in-depth and serious discussions" took place.

Earlier reports from Egyptian media indicated "significant progress" in negotiations, but the latest remarks from both Israel and Hamas highlight the significant gaps between the two sides. Hamas' political bureau leader, Ismail Haniyeh, stated that the group is eager to reach an agreement but emphasized that any proposal must guarantee the permanent withdrawal of Israeli forces and a cessation of fighting in Gaza.

Haniyeh accused the Israeli government of being extremist and seeking to sabotage the negotiation efforts through various mediators. On the other hand, Netanyahu countered by stating that Hamas's demands, including complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, were unacceptable to Israel. He asserted that Israel would not accept a situation where Hamas can rebuild their military infrastructure and threaten Israeli citizens.

While there had been hope for a breakthrough, the current impasse has heightened concerns of an expected ground offensive in Rafah, a southern Gazan city where around 1.5 million Palestinians have sought refuge from the conflict in the north. The United States has been exerting pressure on Hamas to accept the proposed deal and has also been working to prevent Israeli military action in Rafah.

Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told troops to anticipate "intense action in Rafah in the near future." Gallant expressed concern that Hamas may not be willing to reach an agreement, prompting the need for military action. Recent reports indicate that an airstrike on Rafah resulted in the deaths of six Palestinians, including women and children.

In response to the escalation, Israel closed the Kerem Shalom border crossing, a vital point for delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza after it was targeted by at least 10 rockets. Israel's Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) accused Hamas of obstructing aid delivery and preventing residents from receiving much-needed assistance.

As talks continue to stagnate and violence persists, the hopes for a ceasefire and a resolution to the conflict seem increasingly distant. The international community, led by the United States, is under mounting pressure to find a way to deescalate the situation and address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.