In a renewed statement, Hamas has reiterated its willingness to enter a comprehensive ceasefire agreement that would secure the release of all Israeli captives held by Palestinian resistance factions in exchange for a mutually agreed number of Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel.
The proposed deal, according to Hamas, is contingent upon a full cessation of the genocide in Gaza, the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the enclave, the reopening of border crossings to allow humanitarian aid and essential supplies, and the initiation of a reconstruction process.
Hamas emphasized its approval of a mediation proposal submitted on August 18 by regional intermediaries, reportedly based on the Witkoff initiative.
The movement confirmed that it and other Palestinian factions had accepted the terms, and that it continues to await an official response from the Israeli government.
The statement also reaffirmed Hamas’s support for the immediate formation of an independent national administration composed of technocrats to govern Gaza and assume full responsibility across all sectors.
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Speaking from abroad, senior Hamas political bureau member Izzat al-Reheq, directing his statements to U.S. President Donald Trump, asserted that Hamas had demonstrated flexibility and accepted the mediators’ proposal, while accusing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of obstructing progress. “Netanyahu is pursuing an endless war and sabotaging any potential agreement,” al- Reheq stated.
Despite the overtures, the Israeli government rejected Hamas’s announcement early Thursday morning.
Netanyahu’s office dismissed the statement as “empty propaganda,” reiterating that any cessation of the war would only be considered if Hamas met five conditions set by Israel’s security cabinet: the release of all hostages, the disarmament of Hamas, the demilitarization of Gaza, full Israeli security control over the territory, and the establishment of a civilian administration that does not promote or facilitate armed resistance.
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Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz echoed the government’s stance, accusing Hamas of issuing “hollow words” and warning that failure to comply with Israel’s demands would result in consequences akin to the destruction witnessed in Rafah and Beit Hanoun, in northern Gaza.
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich added that the final outcome of the war must include the recovery of all Israeli captives, the dismantling of Hamas’s military infrastructure, and the creation of a buffer zone to ensure permanent operational freedom for Israeli forces within Gaza.
Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir escalated the rhetoric further, calling for Hamas’s total eradication. “The only response to Hamas’s messages should be its complete annihilation,” he said, urging the group to surrender unconditionally or face total destruction.
In contrast, opposition leader Yair Lapid advocated for an immediate return to negotiations. While stressing that the government is not obligated to accept Hamas’s terms, Lapid underscored its duty to make a serious effort to secure the release of Israeli captives.
This latest exchange underscores the deep impasse between both sides, with Hamas positioning its proposal as a pathway to ending the war and reconstruction of Gaza, while Israel maintains that only total capitulation by Hamas can bring the war to an end.
Israel has now killed at least 63,557 Palestinians, in addition to 361 deaths attributed to starvation, including 130 children, and injured more than 160,660, the majority of whom are children and women, in addition to the thousands who remain under rubble, on destroyed streets and bombarded alleys, across the devastated Gaza Strip, since October 7, 2023.
