In a renewed effort to address the impasse in ceasefire negotiations, Hamas announced on Sunday its willingness to engage in immediate indirect talks with Israel. The statement comes as regional mediators ramp up efforts to find a diplomatic path forward amid escalating violence.
“The movement affirms its readiness to immediately embark on an indirect round of negotiations to reach an agreement on points of contention,” Hamas said in an official statement.
This announcement follows renewed engagement by Egypt and Qatar, who have pledged to continue their mediation efforts based on a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal that has so far failed to gain consensus.
At the heart of the deadlock is the issue of a permanent cessation of hostilities. While Hamas insists on a firm commitment to end the 20-month-long war, Israel has maintained that it will not discuss an end to the conflict under current terms.
Hamas has also sought personal assurances from U.S. President Donald Trump to ensure that Israel will participate in post-ceasefire negotiations. A prior proposal including such a guarantee—reportedly submitted by Trump ally Bishara Bahbah—was dismissed by Israeli officials in favor of a plan introduced by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff.
The Witkoff framework suggests a temporary 60-day truce and a prisoner exchange, but does not compel Israel to negotiate a permanent end to the war. Hamas responded with a counterproposal, which was quickly rejected by the U.S. envoy as “totally unacceptable.”
Despite this setback, Hamas has offered to release remaining Israeli captives and relinquish governance in Gaza in exchange for a full and lasting peace—though it continues to reject demands for disarmament.
Israel Expands Military Offensive Amid Talks
While diplomatic efforts continue, the Israeli military has expanded its ground operations in both northern and southern Gaza. The decision was made under directives from Israel’s military chief, Eyal Zamir, and Defense Minister Israel Katz, who emphasized that the expansion would proceed “against all targets,” regardless of ongoing diplomatic activities.
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The Israeli government has made clear its intention to occupy Gaza indefinitely, with recent policy approvals enabling large-scale military engagement. Over 450,000 reservists have been called up, and nearly the entire Israeli infantry and armored divisions have been deployed.
Currently, Israeli forces control an estimated 40 percent of Gaza and are aiming to increase that figure to 75 percent by the end of July.
According to the United Nations, widespread displacement orders have rendered more than 80 percent of Gaza uninhabitable for its civilian population. Only Gaza City, Deir al-Balah, and the Al-Mawasi coastal zone remain relatively unaffected by military closure orders.
Mounting Destruction and Humanitarian Concerns
The scale of destruction across Gaza continues to escalate, with over 240 residential buildings demolished in recent days, according to Gaza’s Government Media Office. Director Ismail al-Thawabta condemned the demolitions, describing them as part of a deliberate campaign to forcibly depopulate Palestinian cities.
“This scorched-earth policy reveals a clear strategy of ethnic cleansing and forced displacement,” al-Thawabta stated in an interview with Anadolu Agency.
Since October 2023, Israeli strikes have damaged or destroyed approximately 75% of all infrastructure in Gaza, with over 90% of housing stock affected.
Senior Israeli officials have become increasingly forthright in recent weeks, with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich declaring that Israel’s objective is to “eliminate what’s left of Gaza.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also openly discussed relocating Gaza’s entire 2.2 million residents toward the southern border, referring to it as a step toward “voluntary migration.”
In Rafah and other southern districts, Israeli bulldozers continue to flatten entire neighborhoods. Widely shared footage online depicts the systematic demolition of homes, one block at a time.
Conclusion
While hopes for a peaceful resolution remain tenuous, Hamas’ announcement signals a potential opening for renewed dialogue. However, the intensification of Israeli military operations and the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza may further complicate the prospects for a sustainable truce.