Hamas has rejected an Israeli proposal for a temporary ceasefire in Gaza, insisting on a deal that fully ends the conflict sparked by its October 2023 attack and includes the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the region, according to a statement on Thursday.
A Hamas source told AFP the group sent a written response to mediators regarding Israel’s offer of a 45-day ceasefire, which included the release of 10 living hostages held by Hamas, the freeing of 1,231 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails, and humanitarian aid for Gaza. The proposal also required Hamas to disarm to end the war permanently, a condition the group rejected.
Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya, speaking on television from outside Gaza, said the group would not accept “partial deals” pushed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He accused Israel of abandoning a January ceasefire agreement and setting “impossible” conditions, urging mediators to engage with Hamas to resolve the crisis. Al-Hayya claimed Hamas was ready to negotiate an immediate deal to exchange all hostages for an agreed number of Palestinian prisoners, provided it ended the war.
US National Security Council spokesperson James Hewitt responded, saying,
Hamas’s comments show they are not interested in peace but ongoing violence. The Trump administration’s terms remain: release the hostages or face severe consequences.”
Israel and Hamas agreed to a phased ceasefire in January, but it collapsed after the first stage. Hamas wanted to move to the second phase, but Israel sought to renegotiate terms to free more hostages without committing to a permanent end to the conflict. Israel resumed its offensive in Gaza on March 18.
Netanyahu has vowed not to end the war until Hamas’s military and governing capabilities are dismantled, a stance supported by his hardline coalition partners, who have threatened to topple his government if he agrees to end the conflict. However, polls suggest most Israelis support ending the war if it secures the release of all remaining hostages.
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich rejected Hamas’s position, stating on X that Israel would intensify its fight until achieving “complete victory” and returning all hostages, while pushing for a US-backed plan for the “voluntary exit and rehabilitation” of Gazans elsewhere. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir called for increased military pressure until Hamas “surrenders,” opposing any deal, ceasefire, or aid.
The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages in a brutal assault. Gaza-based terror groups still hold 59 hostages, with 24 believed to be alive and 35 confirmed dead, including a soldier killed in 2014 whose body is held.
