Intensive talks are underway to extend Israel-Hamas truce as deadline looms
Hamas has made it clear: no temporary truce in Gaza unless there’s real progress toward a permanent ceasefire.
In a televised statement on Friday, Abu Ubaida, spokesperson for Hamas’ armed wing, said the group is open to a short-term pause in fighting. However, if the current negotiations fail, Hamas will push for a full peace deal instead of smaller, step-by-step agreements.
“We’ve offered to release all hostages and end the war with a permanent ceasefire, but Israel keeps rejecting it,” Ubaida said.
Ongoing Talks, Little Progress
The talks, led by Qatar and Egypt with U.S. support, have gone on for over 10 days. The proposed plan includes a 60-day truce, during which:
- 10 hostages would be released by Hamas
- The bodies of 18 others would be returned
- Israel would free a number of Palestinian detainees
But key sticking points remain. Two Hamas officials told Reuters that disagreements over Israeli military withdrawal maps, how humanitarian aid is delivered, and guarantees of a long-term ceasefire are blocking a deal.
Israel’s Stance
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in a statement after a call with Pope Leo that Israel wants a hostage deal and a 60-day truce. But, according to the statement, Hamas hasn’t responded in kind.
Ubaida warned, “If Israel keeps stalling like before, we may no longer offer partial deals—like the release of the 10 captives.”
Netanyahu has repeatedly said the war will only end once Hamas is disarmed and its leaders are removed from Gaza.
The Human Cost
- More than 58,600 Palestinians have died in Gaza, according to Gaza health authorities.
- Around 1,650 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed since the conflict began, including 1,200 in Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel.
As negotiations continue, both sides remain far apart, and the people of Gaza continue to suffer the consequences.
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Source: By Reuters | Updated July 19, 2025