Executive summary: Israel has rejected Hamas’s statement expressing readiness for a comprehensive deal to end the Gaza war, dismissing it as mere ‘spin’ with nothing new, while emphasizing its own conditions for ceasefire. The development comes amid heightened tensions and a looming Israeli offensive on Gaza City.
Hamas issued a statement on Tuesday evening, declaring its willingness to engage in a comprehensive agreement that would involve the release of all hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, the reopening of border crossings, and the initiation of reconstruction efforts in Gaza. The group also proposed the establishment of an administration run by independent technocrats to govern the post-war territory. This announcement followed a social media post by U.S. President Donald Trump, who urged Hamas to immediately return all 20 remaining hostages, suggesting it could lead to a rapid end to the conflict.
In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office swiftly dismissed Hamas’s overture, labeling it as ‘more spin by Hamas that has nothing new.’ Israel reiterated its longstanding conditions for ending the war: the release of all 48 hostages—20 of whom are believed to be alive—the disarmament of Hamas, the demilitarization of Gaza, Israeli security control over the area, and the establishment of an alternative civilian administration. The Israeli government insists that the war will only conclude once these objectives are met.
The backdrop to this exchange includes a previous proposal from regional mediators Qatar and Egypt, which Hamas accepted last month. That plan involved releasing 10 living hostages and the bodies of 18 deceased hostages during a 60-day truce, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Israel has not formally responded to this proposal, a delay that Egypt criticized as reflecting a ‘complete absence of Israeli will for de-escalation.’ Qatar noted that this proposal was almost identical to an earlier one from U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, which Israel accepted but Hamas rejected due to the lack of a guarantee for a permanent ceasefire.
Netanyahu had announced Israel’s intention to conquer all of Gaza after indirect negotiations broke down in July, with the military’s objectives centered on defeating Hamas and freeing the hostages. Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that Hamas must choose between accepting Israel’s terms or facing the consequences, with the military ‘preparing in full force’ for an offensive to conquer Gaza City. He drew parallels to the devastation seen in Rafah and Beit Hanoun, areas largely flattened by Israeli operations.
The families of the hostages have expressed deep concern that the planned offensive on Gaza City could endanger the captives, both living and deceased. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum warned that the maneuver poses a real threat and demanded immediate negotiations to secure a deal. ‘Calls for a comprehensive agreement are coming from both sides—we demand: sit down at the negotiating table now and don’t get up until a deal is signed,’ the group stated.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate. The Israeli military has intensified attacks on the outskirts of Gaza City, declaring it a ‘dangerous combat zone.’ Recent strikes have resulted in significant casualties, with hospitals reporting at least 23 Palestinians killed in the city on Thursday and 15 elsewhere. Medics described tragic incidents, such as a strike on a tent camp that killed a pregnant woman and another individual, highlighting the dire conditions for displaced families.
The UN’s humanitarian office has issued warnings that further intensification of the offensive will exacerbate the catastrophe in Gaza City, where one million people reside and a famine has been declared. Aid groups report horrific conditions in displacement sites, including overcrowding, debris accumulation, infestations, and inadequate water supplies. Since mid-August, over 82,000 people have been newly displaced, many reluctant to move due to safety concerns and repeated displacements during the conflict. The war, triggered by Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, has resulted in extensive loss of life and ongoing suffering.