Hamas has signaled a definitive rejection of Israel’s latest truce proposal, calling instead for a “comprehensive” deal to resolve the ongoing conflict that has persisted for 18 months. The Palestinian militant group’s chief negotiator, Khalil al-Hayya, articulated their stance clearly following reports that Israeli air strikes in Gaza resulted in the deaths of at least 40 individuals, predominantly in camps sheltering displaced civilians.
The Israeli military confirmed that they are investigating reports concerning the strikes, which have escalated amid Israel’s intensified offensive on Gaza. A source within Hamas revealed that a written response regarding the truce proposal has been sent to mediators. The initiative, aimed at establishing a 45-day ceasefire, reportedly included a stipulation from Israel for the release of ten hostages. In exchange, Hamas is demanding the freedom of 1,231 Palestinian prisoners and unimpeded entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, which has remained under strict blockade since early March.
A critical element of the truce, according to Israeli demands, is the disarmament of Hamas, a condition the group has outright rejected. Al-Hayya criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, asserting that attempts at partial agreements are merely instruments of his political maneuvering and that Hamas refuses to become complicit in such tactics. Instead, he emphasized the group’s desire for a comprehensive agreement involving a full prisoner exchange, cessation of hostilities, withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and beginning the reconstruction of the war-ravaged territory.
This rejection follows the collapse of a prior ceasefire and hostage release agreement initiated in January, which fell apart two months later. Negotiations for an extension of that original ceasefire have since stalled, with Hamas insisting on further discussions for a second phase, as outlined during Joe Biden’s presidency. Israel commenced a renewed bombing campaign in Gaza in mid-March.
Compounding the situation, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, the emir of Qatar, attributed the breakdown of the earlier truce to Israel’s failure to adhere to the terms of the agreement in Moscow. As the violence escalates, civil defense authorities reported that multiple Israeli strikes on civilian shelters in Khan Yunis killed 16 people, emphasizing that many victims were women and children. The strike took place in an area where tens of thousands had sought refuge after Israel had designated it as a safe zone late last year.
Survivors recounted the chaos following the airstrikes, detailing horrific scenes of explosions that engulfed their shelters in flames. Additional strikes in northern Gaza and Jabalia resulted in further casualties, including entire families. Meanwhile, Israel has maintained that a significant portion of Gaza has been repurposed into a buffer zone as part of its military strategy.
The United Nations has highlighted a growing humanitarian catastrophe, with reports indicating that half a million Palestinians have been displaced since the resumption of hostilities. The situation has deteriorated such that essential supplies, including medical aid, fuel, and potable water, are critically low, a point underscored by accusations from Hamas that Israel is engaging in actions tantamount to war crimes by continuously blocking aid.
Medical organizations, including the International Committee of the Red Cross, expressed outrage after one of their facilities in Gaza was struck by an explosive, marking the second such incident within a short span. The ongoing violence has reportedly resulted in at least 1,691 deaths in Gaza, making the overall toll from the conflict rise to over 51,000, with the majority being civilians. The repercussions of Hamas’s earlier assault on Israeli territory on October 7, 2023, which claimed 1,218 lives, mainly among civilians, have further complicated the already fragile situation.
