The US government on Tuesday contradicted reports that the Palestinian militant organization Hamas had agreed to a proposal for a ceasefire in the Gaza war shortly before the Israeli army started a military operation in the city of Rafah. “Hamas did not accept the ceasefire proposal. Hamas responded, and in their response made several suggestions. It’s not the same as accepting,” said US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller in Washington. Miller explained that the draft under discussion was an offer made at the end of April. “That’s the offer that was on the table,” he said. “Hamas seemed…