Hamas has said it is open to a years-long Gaza truce with Israel but refuses to give up its weapons. The announcement came on Saturday as Hamas leaders met mediators in Cairo for new ceasefire talks.
Sources close to the talks told Reuters that Hamas was strongly pushing for its proposal. They said Hamas might agree to a five to seven-year Gaza truce if the war ends. The group also demands the rebuilding of Gaza, the release of Palestinian prisoners, and the return of all hostages.
“The idea of a truce or its duration is not rejected by us, and we are ready to discuss it within the framework of negotiations. We are open to any serious proposals to end the war,” said Taher Al-Nono, media adviser to the Hamas leadership.
However, Nono made it clear that Hamas would not meet Israel’s demand for Gaza to be demilitarized.
Hamas Refuses to Disarm Despite Gaza Truce Talks
Even while discussing peace, Hamas firmly rejected disarming.
“The weapon of resistance is not negotiable and will remain in our hands as long as the occupation exists,” Nono said.
Although Hamas’ founding charter still calls for Israel’s destruction, the group has sometimes shown it could agree to a long-term truce if Israel ends its occupation of Palestinian territories.
Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel quickly downplayed the chances for peace.“The war could end tomorrow if Hamas released the remaining 59 hostages and laid down its weapons,” Haskel said during a briefing in Jerusalem.
War in Gaza Continues Despite Ceasefire Talks
Israel resumed heavy attacks on Gaza on March 18 after a short January ceasefire collapsed. The country said it would continue military pressure until all hostages are freed.
Since then, Israel has blocked all aid into Gaza, captured new territories, and displaced hundreds of thousands of Palestinians.
Health authorities say more than 2,000 Palestinians, most of them civilians, have been killed by Israeli strikes since March.
The war started after Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack killed 1,200 Israelis and led to 251 hostages being taken.
Since then, Gaza’s death toll has risen sharply. According to local health officials, more than 51,400 Palestinians have died during Israel’s ongoing offensive.
Bottom Line
Hamas remains open to a years-long Gaza truce but refuses to disarm, keeping its weapons as a condition for peace. As talks continue, the war in Gaza drags on, with little hope for a quick end unless key demands are met.
