The Arab-mediated proposal would allow the group to “rearm,” according to officials
Israel has rejected a proposed five-year ceasefire with Hamas, claiming that a long-term truce would allow the Palestinian group to rearm, according to multiple media reports citing Israeli officials.
Egypt and Qatar have tried to mediate a ceasefire in Gaza. Israel broke the previous two-month truce in March by launching a new barrage of attacks on the enclave.
The proposed new deal reportedly included the release of all remaining Israeli hostages held in Gaza in exchange for a long-term cessation of hostilities. Hamas is said to have refused to lay down arms for as long as the Israeli occupation continues.
“There is no chance that we will agree to a hudna with Hamas that just allows it to rearm, recover and to continue its war against Israel,” the official said, as cited by The Times of Israel. “Hudna” is an Arabic term that denotes a prolonged period between a ceasefire and a peace treaty, noted the news outlet.
Israel has declared that its primary goal is the total disarmament and elimination of Hamas.
Hamas’ founding charter calls for Israel’s destruction, but the movement has signaled that it might agree to a long-term truce in return for an end to occupation, noted Reuters. Earlier this month, the Palestinian group also said it wanted a comprehensive peace deal and that it would not accept any “partial” agreements.
In response to Israel’s reported refusal to accept the long-term truce, a group representing the families of the hostages stated that “once again the ‘senior political source’ proves that the Israeli government has no plan” for the release of those still in captivity in Gaza.
The Israeli authorities have reported that of the 59 hostages listed as remaining in the enclave, only 24 are thought to have survived. Dozens of others were previously released through ceasefire agreements or separate deals.
Israeli forces have taken control of more than half of Gaza in a renewed offensive following the collapse of a ceasefire and the stalling of hostage negotiations in March. The IDF has resumed air strikes on the enclave in order to increase pressure on Hamas to release the remaining captives.
The ongoing offensive in the enclave was triggered by the October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel, when the militants killed approximately 1,200 people and took another 250 hostage. Since then, over 51,000 Palestinians have been killed amid the IDF military operation, according to Gazan health authorities.
The humanitarian situation has deteriorated sharply since March due to an Israeli-imposed blockade, leading to severe shortages of food, medical supplies, and other essential resources.
