Hamas has rejected Israel’s latest ceasefire proposal, calling it a one-sided demand for Palestinian disarmament with no guarantees for an end to attacks, sieges, or occupation. The move follows a pattern of previous ceasefire offers from Israel that were either broken unilaterally or made in bad faith amid ongoing military operations.

According to mediators, the Israeli offer required Hamas to lay down all arms and release hostages, while Israel offered no commitment to halt airstrikes, ease the blockade, or withdraw forces from southern Gaza, where fighting has intensified in recent weeks.

This outlet supports the rejection of a ceasefire framework that does not provide mutual guarantees. A ceasefire must be reciprocal – Israel’s version asked one side to surrender while continuing its own military campaign, a campaign which has already proven to be incompatible with the rules of war.

Hamas has stated that it is willing to consider a comprehensive ceasefire under international supervision, contingent on a full halt to Israeli aggression, withdrawal from occupied areas, and the restoration of humanitarian aid flows. A ceasefire that delivered on some of that, had already been agreed to by the two sides, before Israel implemented an illegal starvation campaign on the strip.

Israel has violated or abandoned multiple ceasefire agreements in this war, most notably bombing refugee camps and aid convoys during supposed pauses. The credibility of its offers is further weakened by open calls from senior Israeli ministers for the permanent depopulation of Gaza and rejection of any return of displaced civilians.

As Israeli airstrikes continue across Gaza residents and aid workers say the word “ceasefire” has become meaningless without enforcement.