Hamas Rejects Israel's 45-Day Ceasefire Proposal, Demands Complete End to Gaza War
Hamas has formally rejected Israel's latest ceasefire proposal, instead demanding a comprehensive deal that would secure the release of all remaining hostages in exchange for a permanent end to the Gaza war and the release of Palestinian prisoners. The rejection comes amid a deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Gaza and increasing pressure from far-right Israeli officials to escalate military operations.
Hamas Rebuffs Partial Deal, Insists on War's End
Hamas's chief negotiator, Khalil al-Hayya, announced the group's rejection of Israel's latest ceasefire proposal in a video statement Thursday, saying: "We will not accept partial deals that serve [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu's political agenda" BBC1.
Israel's proposal offered a 45-day temporary ceasefire in exchange for the release of 10 hostages, about half the number believed to still be alive NPR2. The deal would have also included the release of 1,231 Palestinian prisoners Times of Israel3.
A key sticking point was Israel's new demand that Hamas discuss disarmament as part of the negotiations, which the militant group categorically rejected. "We want a comprehensive deal to end the war and exchange all hostages with an agreed number of Palestinians jailed by Israel," al-Hayya stated BBC1.
The proposal would have begun with the release of American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander on the first day of the ceasefire, followed by other captives in stages CNN4. Currently, 59 hostages remain in captivity in Gaza, with only 24 believed to be alive BBC1.
Global Reactions to the Rejected Proposal
Far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich responded to Hamas's rejection with inflammatory rhetoric, saying it was time "to open the gates of hell" on Hamas BBC1. He called on Prime Minister Netanyahu to "intensify operations to include the full conquest of Gaza" Ynet News5.
Netanyahu has consistently refused to end the war until Hamas's military and governing capabilities have been dismantled, a position supported by many in his hardline coalition Times of Israel3.
International mediators including Egypt, Qatar, and the United States continue their efforts to bridge the gap between the two sides. According to Egyptian sources, negotiators are "pushing the two sides to agree to an emergency truce" Washington Post6.
"We want the hostages home and we believe that a ceasefire is the best way to get that done," a senior U.S. official told Reuters, highlighting the Biden administration's commitment to diplomatic efforts despite the latest setback Reuters7.
Expert Insights: A Widening Divide
Middle East analysts view the rejection as a reflection of the fundamental disconnect between the two sides' objectives.
"Hamas has drawn a red line at disarmament, which they view as surrender," says Daniel Levy, president of the U.S./Middle East Project. "Meanwhile, Israel's political leadership is unwilling to commit to ending the war without achieving its stated goal of destroying Hamas. This leaves very little room for compromise."
The Foundation for Defense of Democracies noted that Israel's new proposal "crossed a million red lines" for Hamas, particularly the requirement to discuss disarmament FDD8.
Karim Sadjadpour, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, points out that "negotiations reflect an imbalance of power in favor of Israel and the U.S.," making Hamas reluctant to accept terms they perceive as dictated rather than negotiated Al Jazeera9.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens as Blockade Continues
The ongoing military operations and aid blockade in Gaza have created catastrophic humanitarian conditions. The latest series of Israeli strikes killed at least 37 people, mostly displaced civilians living in a tented camp, according to Gaza's Hamas-run civil defense agency BBC1.
"I rushed outside and saw the tent next to mine engulfed in flames," a witness told the BBC's Gaza Lifeline programme, describing the aftermath of what he called a "powerful" explosion BBC1.
The United Nations reports that more than one million children in Gaza have been deprived of aid for over a month UN News10. "The humanitarian aid system in Gaza is facing total collapse," warned the heads of 12 major aid organizations in a joint statement AP News11.
According to UNRWA, of the 49 planned aid movements coordinated with Israeli authorities across Gaza from April 8-14, 23 were denied access UNRWA12.
Israeli officials maintain there is "no shortage" of aid in Gaza and accuse Hamas of withholding supplies. They argue the blockade is crucial to pressure Hamas to release the remaining hostages NBC News13.
Future of Gaza Hangs in Balance
As the war enters its nineteenth month with death tolls mounting on both sides, the prospects for a resolution appear increasingly distant. The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israeli communities, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages BBC1.
Israel's subsequent military campaign has killed at least 51,065 people, according to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry BBC1.
Hamas says it will send a delegation to Qatar to continue indirect negotiations AP News14, suggesting some diplomatic channels remain open despite the formal rejection of Israel's latest offer.
A Peace That Remains Elusive
As casualties mount and humanitarian conditions deteriorate further, the fundamental question remains: can either side modify its core demands enough to reach a compromise that ends the suffering? With Hamas insisting on a complete end to the war and Israel demanding Hamas's disarmament, the path to peace seems as distant as ever.### Hamas Rejects Israel's 45-Day Ceasefire Proposal, Demands Complete End to Gaza War
