Israel Rejects Hamas' Proposal for Gaza Peace Deal Amid Ongoing Hostilities

Mon Sep 15 2025 16:59:29 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu has dismissed claims by Hamas that they are ready to negotiate a comprehensive peace deal, reiterating the need for hostages' release and a military overhaul in Gaza. As tensions continue to escalate with increasing military actions and public protests, the humanitarian situation in Gaza worsens.

In a recent statement, the Israeli government refuted Hamas' assertion of readiness for a comprehensive peace deal to end the Gaza conflict and facilitate the release of hostages. Prime Minister Netanyahu emphasized that military actions will only cease once hostages are freed and Gaza is disarmed. Meanwhile, protests in Israel have called for immediate negotiations to secure the safety of hostages caught in the conflict. As military operations intensify, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to deepen, with alarming reports of civilian casualties and displacement.

Israel has rejected a statement from Hamas saying the armed group is ready for a comprehensive deal to end the Gaza war and free all its hostages.

This is more spin by Hamas that has nothing new, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said.

It insisted the war would end only once the 48 hostages - 20 of whom are believed to be alive - were released, Hamas was disarmed, Gaza was demilitarised, Israel had security control, and an alternative civilian administration was established.

Hamas reiterated its call for a deal that would see hostages exchanged for Palestinian prisoners, Israeli forces withdraw, border crossings reopened, and the start of reconstruction.

The group also said it agreed to the formation of an administration run by independent technocrats to govern post-war Gaza.

It issued the statement on Tuesday evening, hours after US President Donald Trump wrote on social media: Tell Hamas to IMMEDIATELY give back all 20 Hostages (Not 2 or 5 or 7!), and things will change rapidly. IT WILL END!

Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Tuesday that Hamas now had to choose between accepting Israel's terms or seeing Gaza become the equivalent of Rafah and Beit Hanoun, which have been largely flattened by Israeli bombardment and demolitions. The Israeli military was preparing in full force, he warned.

The hostages' families are concerned that they will be endangered by the looming offensive to capture and occupy Gaza City, and want the government to instead immediately agree a deal that would secure their release by ending the war.

The manoeuvring in Gaza City poses a real threat to the hostages, both the living and the deceased who could disappear forever, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum warned. Calls for a comprehensive agreement are coming from both sides - we demand: sit down at the negotiating table now and don't get up until a deal is signed.

In recent days, the Israeli military has intensified air and ground assaults on the outskirts of Gaza City, which it has said is a Hamas stronghold and declared a dangerous combat zone. Hospitals said at least 23 Palestinians were killed by Israeli strikes on the city on Thursday, with several strikes reportedly hitting tents housing displaced families.

The UN's humanitarian office has warned that further intensification of the Israeli offensive will push civilians into an even deeper catastrophe in Gaza City, which is home to one million people and where a famine has been declared.

Since August 14, over 82,000 people have been newly displaced, many of whom had already fled from neighbouring regions.

Medics reported further casualties, including a pregnant woman killed in a strike on a tent, sparking outrage among humanitarian groups who condemned the continued violence as against innocent civilians.