In a bold and uncompromising move, Hamas has laid its cards on the table: all Israeli hostages in exchange for a complete end to the war in Gaza, the release of Palestinian prisoners, and the rebuilding of the devastated enclave. No half-measures. No temporary pauses. No more “piecemeal” deals.
That was the message delivered by Khalil Al-Hayya, Hamas’s chief negotiator in Gaza, who made a video statement Friday rejecting Israel’s latest proposal for a short-term ceasefire. “Partial agreements,” he said, are just political smokescreens for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s long-term strategy — a war without end.
Israel had offered a 45-day ceasefire, with ten hostages being released in exchange for 120 Palestinians serving life sentences and over a thousand others jailed since October 7. But the deal came with a major condition: Hamas would need to lay down its arms permanently. That, Al-Hayya made clear, was a non-starter.
According to him, Hamas is “ready to immediately negotiate a deal to swap all hostages” — not just some — for an end to the war, a full prisoner release, and a path toward rebuilding what’s left of Gaza.
Right now, Israeli officials believe 59 hostages are still being held, with just 24 confirmed alive. Several were freed during previous temporary truces, but progress has stalled. Recent talks in Cairo fizzled out without any breakthroughs, leaving families in limbo and tensions running high.
Meanwhile, on the ground, the fighting has ramped up again. Israeli forces have seized control of more than half of Gaza and resumed heavy airstrikes in a campaign to tighten the screws on Hamas. Over 100 targets were hit in just the last two days, according to the IDF, including what they claim are militant outposts and infrastructure.
But as is often the case in war, civilians are bearing the brunt. Gaza’s civil defense agency, which is run by Hamas, reported at least 37 people — mostly displaced families — were killed on Thursday in a strike that hit a tent camp.
Israel continues to insist that humanitarian aid is flowing, despite its blockade. The UN disagrees, warning this week that Gaza is facing its worst humanitarian crisis since the conflict reignited.
As bombs fall and negotiations falter, Hamas’s new stance draws a clear line: no more temporary deals, no more war games. Just one path forward — a total swap for peace. Whether Israel will take that offer remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: neither side is blinking.
