Manila, April 2 -- Myanmar's military junta has rejected ceasefire proposals from rebel groups intended to allow rescue operations after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck the country last week, local media reported Wednesday.

General Min Aung Hlaing, the leader of the ruling junta, declared a continuation of military operations as the earthquake's death toll rose to 2,719 with 400 people still missing and more than 4,000 injured, the independent news agency Myanmar Now reported.

Myanmar's shadow administration, the National Unity Government, formed by lawmakers removed in the February 2021 military coup, had announced a two-week ceasefire, which started on March 30.

A similar proposal was put forth by the Arakan Army, the Myanmar Natio...