Hamas has rejected a proposal from Israel offering a six-week ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The deal demanded Hamas to disarm completely. But Israel made no promise to end the war or withdraw its military forces—two key conditions for Hamas.
A senior Palestinian official involved in the talks said this was a deal-breaker. Hamas had hoped to exchange hostages for concrete commitments on ending the conflict.
Ongoing Conflict and Mounting Casualties in Gaza
While negotiations continue, Israeli military operations in Gaza have not stopped. A field hospital in Khan Younis was hit by an airstrike. The attack killed one security guard and injured nine others. 
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said they targeted a senior Hamas commander during the operation.
A United Nations agency issued a grim warning. They stated that Gaza’s humanitarian situation is now the worst since the conflict began 18 months ago.
Israel has closed border crossings for six weeks straight. This is the longest blockade since the war started. UN officials strongly denied Israel’s claim that Gaza has enough food. They also warned that this blockade might violate international humanitarian law.
Netanyahu: Blockade Aims to Pressure Hamas
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the blockade. He said it was designed to pressure Hamas to release hostages. He also said the goal is to extend a truce that expired on March 1.
Israel submitted a new ceasefire plan to regional mediators late last week. A Hamas delegation led by Khalil al-Hayya then met with Egyptian intelligence officials in Cairo.
Disarmament Demand: A Red Line for Hamas
According to the Palestinian official, Israel’s proposal—relayed through Egypt—clearly required Hamas to disarm. But it gave no promise to stop the war or pull out of Gaza. That’s why Hamas rejected it outright.
This is the first time Israel has made disarmament a condition for ceasefire. Hamas sees that as a red line. The official accused Israel of stalling and trying to drag the war out.
Communication Lost With Hostage-Holding Fighters
On Tuesday afternoon, a Hamas military spokesperson made a concerning announcement. He said they lost contact with a unit that was holding hostages. The loss followed what Israel called a “direct strike on Hamas positions.”
Still, Hamas said it is ready to return all hostages. In exchange, they want all fighting to stop and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Previously, Hamas offered to release five hostages if the ceasefire was extended. The group claims it has shown flexibility on the number of hostages.
Egypt’s Role and Netanyahu’s Warning
Reports say Egypt has now offered a revised plan. Hamas is currently reviewing it.
Israel resumed airstrikes on March 18. It also restarted ground operations. The stated goal was to target Hamas. Prime Minister Netanyahu warned that future negotiations would happen “under fire.”
Death Toll Rises Sharply Since Renewed Offensive
The Hamas-run Health Ministry released new figures. Since Israel resumed attacks, at least 1,630 people have died in Gaza. This brings the death toll over the 18-month conflict to around 51,000.
