GAZA CITY, April 15, 2025 – Hamas has rejected Israel’s latest ceasefire proposal with demands that Hamas disarm completely as unacceptable and an obstacle to serious peace negotiations.
Egypt and Qatar recently initiated indirect talks aimed at ending Gaza’s months-long conflict, which has already claimed thousands of lives and uprooted hundreds of thousands. Egypt reportedly introduced this disarmament demand during their discussions to broker peace.
Israeli officials assert that disarming Hamas is critical to long-term security for Israeli citizens, citing past ceasefires as temporary arrangements which allowed Hamas to rearm. An Israeli government spokesperson declared, “Hamas must surrender its weapons for there to be any sustainable peace in this region. Israel cannot accept any arrangement that leaves a heavily armed terror organization on our border.”
Hamas quickly dismissed this proposal, insisting it would never surrender its weapons under occupation. A senior Hamas official in Gaza responded that this demand “is nothing more than a political ploy designed to humiliate our people and deny us our right to resist”. Resistance will continue as long as occupation continues – disarmament is simply not on the table.”
United Nations officials and humanitarian groups have expressed alarm that disarmament could undermine fragile efforts to reach a ceasefire and ease Gaza’s humanitarian crisis. UN officials have called for an immediate cessation of hostilities so aid can reach civilians caught in crossfire more swiftly.
International reactions have been mixed. Some Western nations support Israel’s security concerns while others have encouraged both parties to focus on immediate de-escalation over long-term political demands. According to one European diplomat involved in mediation efforts: “Our first priority must be stopping fighting and providing humanitarian access; then further political negotiations can commence as soon as the violence ceases.”
As violence escalates in northern and central Gaza, hopes for an imminent truce remain distant. Civilians on both sides are growing increasingly anxious as civilian casualties mount and infrastructure crumbles.
Hamas continues to refuse disarm and Israel holds fast on its demands; and this leaves Gazans caught in a seemingly never-ending conflict.
Leave a Reply