Egypt Daily News – Tensions in the Gaza Strip continue to mount as Israeli military leadership signals readiness to expand operations, citing what officials have described as a “problematic” response from Hamas to the latest ceasefire proposal. According to a report by Israel Hayom, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) are preparing for broader military engagement, underscoring a new phase in the conflict that has already left Gaza reeling from months of sustained violence.
The diplomatic front also suffered a setback this week as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the return of his negotiating team from Doha, Qatar. The team had been engaged in more than two weeks of indirect talks with Hamas, under the mediation of Qatar, Egypt, and U.S. envoy Brett McGurk. A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said the delegation returned to conduct consultations in Israel, following Hamas’s latest response to the ceasefire terms.
“We appreciate the efforts of the mediators Egypt, Qatar, and the American envoy Brett McGurk in attempting to achieve a breakthrough,” the statement read, signaling that while diplomacy had stalled, it had not collapsed entirely.
An Israeli official familiar with the talks emphasized that negotiations are still ongoing and that the team’s return to Israel had been coordinated among all parties to allow for critical decision-making.
From the Hamas side, a spokesperson told Reuters that their reply to the proposed ceasefire calls for reinstating the January 19 protocol, which permitted humanitarian aid into Gaza under pre-agreed terms. The official also criticized recent proposals for omitting a clear role for the Gaza-based humanitarian agency that has previously coordinated aid distribution, instead suggesting a return to earlier mechanisms that Hamas sees as more equitable.
Crucially, Hamas’s response included revised maps indicating Israeli military positioning throughout the Gaza Strip, reflecting the movement’s insistence on clearly defined boundaries during any potential truce period.
One of the central points of contention remains the length and conditions of the ceasefire. Hamas is demanding that any agreement include a firm 60-day cessation of hostilities, during which Israel would be barred from resuming military action. The group also insists that negotiations continue throughout that period without interruption or a return to conflict.
Additionally, Hamas raised concerns about the Rafah border crossing, criticizing the mediator’s proposal for failing to guarantee the reopening of the crossing in both directions—a vital channel for humanitarian aid and the movement of civilians. The organization also submitted a new framework for a prisoner exchange mechanism, which it views as essential to any broader deal.
Despite the complications, Hamas sources told Reuters that negotiations remain in the “framework agreement” stage, not yet reaching a final or detailed accord. The group accuses Israel of dragging its feet in reaching a comprehensive resolution.
With no ceasefire in place and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsening, the Israeli government is facing growing pressure both domestically and internationally. As the military prepares for potential escalation and diplomatic channels struggle to produce results, the prospects for peace remain uncertain.
Whether this latest breakdown in negotiations will lead to a significant resumption of hostilities—or a recalibrated push toward compromise remains to be seen. But for now, both sides appear locked in a stalemate, and the people of Gaza continue to pay the price.
