New Complication in Gaza Negotiations: Hamas Rejects Israel’s Latest Offer

4th April 2025

3 minutes read

New Complication in Gaza Negotiations: Hamas Rejects Israel's Latest Offer

In a new development that complicates ceasefire negotiations in Gaza, Hamas has rejected Israel’s latest offer presented through mediators.

According to Hamas officials on Wednesday, the movement turned down Israel’s latest proposal in the ongoing indirect negotiations between the two sides.

One of the officials, speaking on condition of anonymity to AFP, stated that “Hamas decided not to engage with the last Israeli offer presented through mediators,” accusing Israel of “aiming to disrupt the Egyptian-Qatari proposal and obstruct any agreement.”

Another Hamas leader indicated that the movement is urging “mediators and the international community to oblige Israel to respect what it has signed and to positively engage with the mediators’ proposal.”

Details of the Israeli Proposal

The offer includes the release of 10 Israeli hostages in exchange for the release of several Palestinian prisoners, along with the release of kidnapped soldier Idan Alexander “in honor” of U.S. President Donald Trump.

The proposal also calls for a 40-day ceasefire, during which Hamas would provide information about the status of all the hostages in its custody, whether dead or alive, after five days. After ten days, 16 hostages who have died will be released.

During this period, the agreement also includes resuming discussions about the next phase of the deal, including how to secure the lives of the hostages and ensure the flow of food supplies to Gaza’s population.

Regarding additional demands, the proposal emphasizes the need to maintain the health and safety of the hostages.

According to Israeli estimates, the logistical and humanitarian blockade on Gaza, along with military pressures, has begun to affect Hamas‘s position.

Israel warned through mediators that if Hamas does not respond to the proposal soon, pressure on the group will increase, with Israel planning to implement a strategy aimed at expanding security zones in Gaza and tightening the logistical blockade.

Israel also hinted at increasing ground military maneuvers in Gaza, including taking control of new lands and escalating attacks if Hamas rejects the offer.

According to Israeli estimates, 59 Israeli hostages remain in Gaza, 24 of whom are alive, and 35 are dead.

After a two-month ceasefire in Gaza and several weeks of fruitless negotiations regarding its extension, Israel resumed its bombing and military assault on Gaza on March 18.

Israel considers military pressure to be the only way to force Hamas to hand over the living or dead hostages still in its custody.

On Saturday, Hamas‘s chief negotiator stated that the movement had agreed to a new ceasefire proposal in Gaza presented by mediators.

In an implicit rejection of the terms of this offer, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu noted that Israel “submitted a counterproposal to the mediators in full coordination with the United States.”

Mediators’ Proposal

A Hamas official stated that the Egyptian-Qatari proposal calls for a 50-day ceasefire during which the Palestinian movement would release “5 Israeli soldiers,” including one with U.S. citizenship, in exchange for the release of 250 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, including 150 serving life sentences.

The proposal also includes Israel releasing 2,000 Palestinians detained in Gaza since October 7, 2023, the date of Hamas‘s attack that sparked the war.

According to the same source, the proposal accepted by Hamas also includes the withdrawal of the Israeli army from areas in Gaza that it has re-entered since March 18, and the flow of humanitarian aid into the besieged Palestinian territory, which Israel has imposed a full blockade on since March 2.