WORLD NEWS

Negotiations aimed at renewing a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas appear to be at an impasse as Israel’s latest proposal demands that Hamas disarm, offering only a temporary halt to the ongoing attacks on Gaza. The Israeli offer, submitted through Egyptian and Qatari mediators, includes a 45-day ceasefire in exchange for the release of 11 Israeli captives still being held in Gaza.
However, Hamas swiftly rejected the disarmament demand. A senior Hamas official, Sami Abu Zuhri, expressed the group’s firm stance, stating, "As long as there is an occupation, the resistance will continue." Abu Zuhri emphasized that the disarmament demand was not negotiable, calling it a “million red lines” that could never be accepted.
While Israel insists on Hamas’s disarmament as a condition for peace, Hamas has maintained its demand for the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. In return, the group has offered to release all remaining captives in a single batch, an offer that has yet to be accepted.
The refusal of Hamas to lay down arms comes amid broader concerns about Israel’s intentions in Gaza. Palestinian officials and analysts argue that Israel’s plan to forcibly expel Palestinians from Gaza makes it difficult for any group to consider disarming. The ongoing violence has resulted in over 51,000 deaths in Gaza, with thousands more injured or displaced.
Efforts to find a diplomatic resolution have failed to yield meaningful progress. Talks in Cairo on Monday ended without significant movement, leaving the situation in Gaza increasingly dire. The renewed fighting, which began after Israel broke a ceasefire on March 18, has devastated the region, with more than 1,500 Palestinians killed since then.
As Israel continues its military campaign, Gaza remains under total blockade, plunging the region into a state of siege and widespread starvation. The humanitarian crisis continues to escalate, and international calls for a lasting peace agreement grow louder, but for now, both sides remain entrenched in their positions.