Hamas Rejects Interim Truce, Demands Full Ceasefire and Hostage Deal
Hamas has rejected Israel’s latest proposal for a temporary ceasefire in Gaza, insisting instead on a comprehensive deal that would end the war, release all hostages held in Gaza, and swap them for all Palestinians imprisoned in Israel.
In a televised address on Thursday, Khalil Al-Hayya—Hamas’s Gaza chief and head of its negotiating team—said the group would no longer agree to interim arrangements, accusing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of using partial agreements to prolong what he described as a “war of extermination and starvation.”
Give the gift of hope
We practice what we preach:
accurate, fearless journalism. But we can't do it alone.
- On the ground in Gaza, Syria, Israel, Egypt, Pakistan, and more
- Our program trained more than 100 journalists
- Calling out fake news and reporting real facts
- On the ground in Gaza, Syria, Israel, Egypt, Pakistan, and more
- Our program trained more than 100 journalists
- Calling out fake news and reporting real facts
Join us.
Support The Media Line. Save democracy.
“Netanyahu and his government use partial agreements as a cover for their political agenda,” Hayya said. “We will not be part of passing this policy.”
Hayya said Hamas was prepared to immediately engage in “comprehensive package negotiations” covering hostages, prisoners, an end to the war, and the reconstruction of Gaza.
The United States condemned Hamas’s latest remarks. “Hamas’s comments demonstrate they are not interested in peace but perpetual violence,” said National Security Council spokesperson James Hewitt. “The terms made by the Trump Administration have not changed: release the hostages or face hell.”
On Monday, the latest round of talks in Cairo ended without breakthrough. Israel had proposed a 45-day truce to allow for phased hostage releases and indirect talks on ending the war. Hamas rejected the offer, citing what it called “impossible conditions,” including disarmament.
