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Gaza's Future: Hamas Rejects Proposals and Israeli Confirmations of Escalation
The Hamas movement denied the correctness of the reports circulating about receiving new proposals from mediators to resolve the crisis in the Gaza Strip. In an official statement, it said that it has not received any new offers from mediators, clarifying that negotiations have been suspended since the failed assassination attempt in Doha about a week ago, which marked a halt in efforts for de-escalation. The movement emphasized its readiness to consider any proposals from mediators responsibly, ensuring the rights of the Palestinian people and safeguarding their national interests.
In a different context, Israeli political sources confirmed that former U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to end the war in Gaza remains feasible with some adjustments. Trump’s plan involves two phases of temporary management of the Gaza Strip: the first by an international body, followed by a Palestinian committee, without a clear timetable for transferring authority to the Palestinian Authority. It also excludes any role for Hamas in governance and implicitly recognizes Palestinian aspirations for an independent state, but without a specific timetable or official commitment.
Meanwhile, Israeli calls to hold Hamas fully responsible for ongoing fighting have intensified. Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz warned of serious consequences if Hamas does not release all prisoners and surrender its weapons. He explained that the Israeli army continues its operations in Gaza, conducting campaigns to strengthen its control over the area, and threatened to destroy the entire strip if Hamas does not meet the occupation’s demands. Katz indicated that the army is leading a decisive campaign involving infrastructure destruction and deploying autonomous units loaded with explosives to thwart operations, amid ongoing violent clashes and escalating attacks.
As military operations continue, the Palestinian stance remains unclear. It is anticipated that the modifications the U.S. side is making to Trump’s plan could help impose a temporary solution, but Gaza’s future remains at a crossroads between military escalation and complex political steps.
