Hamas signals rejection of latest Israeli truce proposal

Hamas has formally rejected Israel’s latest ceasefire proposal, instead pushing for a broader agreement that includes a complete end to the war, Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza, and the beginning of reconstruction efforts.

The refusal came after deadly Israeli airstrikes reportedly killed over 40 people in Gaza, many of them sheltering in displacement camps. Civil defense teams in the territory described extensive damage and multiple civilian casualties, including women and children.

According to a source from Hamas, the group submitted its written response to international mediators on Thursday. Israel had offered a 45-day truce in exchange for the release of ten living hostages, the freeing of more than 1,200 Palestinian detainees, and an increase in humanitarian aid. However, the proposal also demanded that Hamas disarm — a condition the group flatly opposes.

Khalil al-Hayya, Hamas’s lead negotiator, stated that partial deals only serve the political interests of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and reiterated the group’s stance for a comprehensive agreement. He insisted on a full ceasefire, the return of all prisoners in one exchange, Israeli troop withdrawal, and the start of rebuilding efforts in Gaza.

Intensified Strikes and Humanitarian Fallout

Israeli strikes have continued despite a truce brokered in January, which fell apart after two months. The Israeli military maintains it is targeting Hamas infrastructure, including a recent operation in Jabalia that it claimed was against a command and control center.

The civil defense in Gaza reported multiple deadly strikes across the region. In Khan Yunis, an area designated as a safe zone by Israel late last year, two missiles hit a camp, killing at least 16 people and injuring 23. Nearby, more civilians died in Beit Lahia and around Al-Mawasi. Additional attacks in Jabalia and Gaza City also claimed lives, including entire families and people sheltering in schools.

Qatar, one of the key mediators along with Egypt and the United States, blamed Israel for the collapse of the ceasefire. Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, speaking in Moscow, emphasized that Israel had failed to uphold previous agreements.

The humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate. Half a million Palestinians have been displaced since hostilities resumed in March. The United Nations has called the crisis the worst since the war began following Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. The Israeli Defense Minister recently stated that aid would remain blocked, prompting Hamas to accuse Israel of intentionally starving the population.

The International Committee of the Red Cross also reported that one of its bases in Gaza was struck for the second time in under a month, condemning the incident as unacceptable.

Rising Death Toll and Ongoing Stalemate

The health ministry in Gaza reported that over 1,690 people have been killed since the resumption of Israel’s offensive on March 18. The total death toll in the strip has now surpassed 51,000, most of whom were civilians.

The initial October 2023 Hamas-led attack in Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people, also largely civilians, according to official Israeli figures.

With both sides holding firm and international mediation faltering, hopes for a swift resolution appear dim. Hamas remains adamant that only a complete and lasting ceasefire, accompanied by political concessions, will bring the conflict to an end. Meanwhile, Israel continues to expand its military operations across Gaza, maintaining control of significant portions of the territory.