HAMAS SAYS NO INTERIM TRUCE POSSIBLE WITHOUT PERMANENT CEASEFIRE DEAL
In a bold and uncompromising statement, Hamas has declared that it will not agree to any interim truce with Israel unless a permanent ceasefire agreement is part of the deal. The announcement, made by senior Hamas officials during ongoing indirect negotiations, comes amid mounting international pressure to pause the fighting and allow humanitarian aid to reach the war-ravaged Gaza Strip.
The Islamist militant group, which governs the Gaza Strip, has been engaged in a prolonged and devastating conflict with Israel. In recent months, ceasefire talks have intensified, brokered primarily by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States. However, the negotiations have repeatedly stalled due to fundamental disagreements, particularly over the long-term future of Gaza and the role of Hamas.
According to statements released by Hamas, any temporary pause in hostilities would only serve Israel’s interests if it does not include a comprehensive agreement to end the war permanently. Hamas insists that a truce must not only guarantee a halt in Israeli airstrikes and military operations but also ensure the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and the lifting of the blockade that has crippled the territory for over 15 years.
“We will not accept any temporary solution that leaves our people vulnerable or our resistance weakened,” said Hamas spokesperson Osama Hamdan. “Our position is clear: there can be no short-term ceasefire unless it includes a clear and binding commitment to a full and permanent ceasefire.”
Israel, on the other hand, has maintained that it will not agree to any deal that leaves Hamas in control of Gaza or allows it to rebuild its military capabilities. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly stated that Israel’s goal is the “complete dismantling of Hamas’s terror infrastructure.” As a result, Israel remains opposed to any agreement that could allow Hamas to regroup or claim victory.
The standoff has made diplomatic efforts more difficult. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has been pushing for a phased ceasefire agreement that would involve an initial humanitarian pause, the release of hostages held by Hamas, and the delivery of aid, followed by negotiations for a longer-term peace framework. Hamas, however, has rejected such phased approaches, arguing that they provide no guarantees and allow Israel to resume military operations at any time.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to deteriorate. Thousands have been killed, tens of thousands injured, and much of the territory’s infrastructure has been reduced to rubble. International organizations have warned of famine, disease outbreaks, and a complete collapse of medical services unless a ceasefire is reached soon.
With both sides entrenched in their positions, hopes for a resolution remain dim. Hamas’s insistence on a permanent ceasefire as a condition for any interim deal complicates the mediation process and risks prolonging the suffering of millions of civilians. As diplomatic efforts continue, the international community faces increasing pressure to find a path to peace that addresses both immediate humanitarian needs and the long-term political realities of the conflict.