April 17, 2025 | Cairo & Gaza | Source: Reuters, UN, IDF
In a major shift, Hamas has declared it is prepared to immediately negotiate a comprehensive deal to end the war in Gaza, offering to release all remaining Israeli hostages in exchange for a full ceasefire, the release of Palestinian prisoners, and an international commitment to reconstruct Gaza.
Speaking via a televised address, Khalil Al-Hayya, Hamas’ Gaza leader and chief negotiator, said the group is no longer willing to accept temporary truces, accusing the Israeli government of using piecemeal agreements to prolong conflict.
“We will not be part of passing this policy,” Hayya stated, rejecting Israel’s proposed 45-day ceasefire and denouncing “impossible conditions” placed on Hamas, including disarmament.
(Source: Reuters)
Israel responded by intensifying its military operations. On Thursday alone, at least 32 Palestinians, including women and children, were reported killed by Israeli airstrikes, according to Gaza’s health authorities. One strike hit a UN-run school in Jabalia. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed it was targeting a Hamas command post.
Hostage Crisis
Since the collapse of the January ceasefire, which saw 38 hostages released, negotiations have stalled. Hamas says 59 Israeli hostages remain in captivity, including Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old Israeli-American soldier, with whom Hamas claims it has lost contact following IDF strikes.
In a disturbing video message, Hamas’ military wing warned Israeli families that continued operations would result in more hostages being killed by Israeli firepower.
International Mediation
Efforts led by Egyptian mediators to revive the January truce have failed to produce a breakthrough. Israel insists the war will not end until Hamas is disarmed and all hostages are returned. Hamas counters that hostage release will only come under a permanent peace agreement.
James Hewitt, a spokesperson for the U.S. National Security Council, condemned Hamas’ stance:
“Hamas’s comments demonstrate they are not interested in peace but perpetual violence. The terms made by the Trump Administration have not changed: release the hostages or face hell.”
(Source: White House Press Briefing)
Humanitarian Toll
The war, sparked by Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and led to 251 hostages, has since devastated Gaza. More than 51,000 Palestinians have been killed, per local health officials.
The United Nations warns the crisis is now one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters, with severe displacement, food insecurity, and collapsed infrastructure.
The Land Question
While negotiations now touch on cessation of violence and reconstruction, long-term peace may prove elusive without resolving underlying territorial disputes. Observers warn that without clear, equitable solutions on land ownership or reallocation of reclaimed territory which could be done through offshore dredging given the geographical layout of both Nation, future flare-ups are likely.
Any durable agreement, experts say, must address not just hostages and ceasefires, but land rights, sovereignty, and guarantees for both Israeli and Palestinian civilian populations.
For updates and official statements, visit:
