Israel's Hamas And PM are Equally Hard, The Armistice In Gaza Will Not Be Realized

Defense Minister Gallant met with the Israeli military in Gaza. (Source: Ministry of Defense/Shachar Yurman)

JAKARTA - Hopes of a ceasefire to the conflict in Gaza appeared to dwindle on Sunday, after Hamas reiterated its demand for an end to the war in exchange for the release of hostages, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also reiterated his rejection.

Both sides blamed each other for the deadlock. A Hamas delegation left ceasefire talks in Cairo on Sunday evening to consult with its leaders. However, Hamas officials plan to return to the Egyptian capital on Tuesday, two Egyptian security sources said, according to Reuters, May 6.

On the second day of talks with Egyptian and Qatari mediators, Hamas negotiators maintained their stance that the ceasefire agreement should end the war, Palestinian officials said.

Israeli officials have not traveled to Cairo to take part in indirect diplomacy. But on Sunday PM Netanyahu reiterated Israel's goal since the start of the war nearly seven months ago, to disarm and disband the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas for good or jeopardize Israel's future security.

The prime minister said Israel was willing to stop fighting in Gaza to secure the release of hostages still being held by Hamas, believed to number more than 130.

"But even though Israel has shown its willingness, Hamas persists in its extreme positions, the first of which is the demand to withdraw all our troops from the Gaza Strip, end the war, and allow Hamas to remain in power," said PM Netanyahu.

"Israel cannot accept that," he said.

Meanwhile, an official briefed on the talks told Reuters: "The latest round of mediation in Cairo almost failed."

Separately, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Hamas did not appear serious about reaching a ceasefire.

"We are observing worrying signs that Hamas has no intention of reaching an agreement with us," said Defense Minister Gallant.

"This means that strong military action in Rafah will begin in the near future and throughout the Gaza Strip," he said.

In a statement released shortly after PM Netanyahu, Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh said his group still wants to reach a comprehensive ceasefire that ends Israeli "aggression", guarantees Israel's withdrawal from Gaza, and reaches a "serious" deal to free Israeli citizens held hostage in return for the release of Palestinian prisoners.

Haniyeh blamed PM Netanyahu for "continuing aggression and expanding the circle of conflict, as well as sabotaging efforts made through mediators and various parties".

It is known that Qatar and Egypt are trying to mediate a follow-up to a brief ceasefire in November, amidst international disappointment over the soaring death toll in Gaza and the suffering of its 2.3 million residents.

It is known that the latest conflict between Hamas and Israel broke out on October 7, 2023, when the Palestinian militant group launched an attack on southern Israel that killed 1,200 people and 252 hostages, according to an Israeli tally.

In response, Israel bombarded and surrounded Gaza resulting in more than 34,600 Palestinians being killed and more than 77,000 people injured according to the Gaza Ministry of Health.

The bombing has destroyed much of the coastal area and caused a humanitarian crisis.