GAZA CITY — April 15, 2025 — In a significant development that could prolong the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Hamas has formally rejected an Israeli proposal for a six-week ceasefire. The plan, delivered through Egyptian mediators, called for the disarmament of Hamas in exchange for the partial release of hostages. However, it offered no concrete commitment to ending the war or withdrawing Israeli forces from Gaza — demands that Hamas has repeatedly underscored as non-negotiable.
A senior Palestinian official familiar with the mediation efforts confirmed that the proposal, which originated shortly after a high-level meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, was dismissed outright by Hamas negotiators. The disarmament clause, introduced for the first time as a condition for ceasefire talks, was described as a red line the group would not cross.
The same official accused Israel of leveraging the talks to delay meaningful diplomatic progress while focusing solely on recovering hostages. Israel is believed to be seeking the release of 19 of the remaining 59 hostages held in Gaza. According to reports, only 24 of the hostages are confirmed to be alive.
Tensions were further exacerbated on Tuesday when Hamas’s military wing claimed it had lost contact with the group responsible for holding Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander. The group alleged that the loss followed an Israeli airstrike, though no evidence was provided. Israel has denied targeting known hostage locations and maintains that such operations are avoided where possible.
Meanwhile, Israeli military operations have intensified across the Gaza Strip. On Tuesday morning, warplanes struck near the gates of the Kuwaiti Field Hospital in Khan Younis, killing a security guard and injuring nine others, including hospital staff and patients. Footage from the site showed graphic scenes of chaos, with wounded individuals being rushed for treatment amid destroyed tents and damaged ambulances. The Israel Defense Forces claimed responsibility for the strike, stating it targeted a Hamas combat commander near the hospital and used precision munitions to minimize civilian harm.
The attack came just days after another controversial Israeli strike on Gaza City’s al-Ahli Arab Hospital, prompting condemnation from the United Nations. Secretary-General António Guterres warned the strike had severely impacted Gaza’s already crippled healthcare infrastructure and underscored that international humanitarian law requires the protection of medical facilities and personnel. He emphasized the responsibility of occupying powers to ensure humanitarian relief for civilian populations.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza has reached alarming new levels, according to the UN. Agencies report that food, water, and medical supplies are rapidly dwindling, with Israel having blocked aid for six consecutive weeks — the longest such stoppage since the war began 18 months ago. Despite Israeli claims that adequate food remains available in the territory, UN officials warn the blockade may constitute a breach of international humanitarian law. Civilian casualties continue to mount as Israeli operations resume, with the Gaza Health Ministry — administered by Hamas — reporting that over 1,630 Palestinians have been killed since March 18 alone, bringing the total death toll to more than 51,000.
Inside Israel, public opinion appears increasingly supportive of a negotiated ceasefire, with most prioritizing the safe return of hostages over the elimination of Hamas’s military capabilities. However, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s governing coalition is underpinned by hardline ultranationalist factions who have threatened to dissolve the government if the war ends prematurely. These political dynamics have contributed to a cautious and fragmented approach to negotiations, even as international mediators such as Egypt present modified ceasefire proposals to both sides.
The conflict was initially triggered by the Hamas-led attack on October 7, which killed 1,200 people and resulted in the capture of 251 hostages, according to Israeli sources. Following a short-lived ceasefire in January, which facilitated the release of 33 hostages in exchange for 1,800 Palestinian detainees, further negotiations have repeatedly stalled.
Grassroots discontent is also rising within Israel. A number of reservists and veterans have recently signed open letters condemning the prolonged conflict and questioning the government’s handling of both the war and its treatment of military personnel. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have also faced backlash over the dismissal of air force reservists who voiced opposition to the war. This dissent comes amid concerns about resource strain and the government’s reluctance to conscript ultra-Orthodox Jews, despite mounting personnel shortages.
In the absence of a ceasefire, widespread displacement continues across Gaza. The UN estimates that nearly 70% of the strip is either under active evacuation orders or considered “no-go” zones, severely hampering humanitarian operations. International aid organizations report difficulties in coordinating safe passage, and fears are growing that basic infrastructure — including medical systems and food distribution channels — may soon collapse entirely under the weight of continued bombardment and supply restrictions.
As regional and international actors continue to push for a diplomatic breakthrough, the chasm between Hamas’s demands and Israel’s conditions remains wide. For now, hopes for a resolution appear dim, and the people of Gaza remain caught in the crossfire of a grinding, seemingly intractable war.
