Hamas Dismisses Ceasefire Talks as Israel Plans Major Gaza Offensive

In light of Israel's planned military escalation in Gaza, a senior Hamas official stated there is "no point" in continuing discussions for a ceasefire or hostage release. Bassem Naim expressed that as long as Israel conducts what he calls a "starvation war," dialogue remains off the table. Israeli leaders have declared their intent to expand their offensive, aiming for a complete takeover of the territory and the displacement of a significant portion of Gaza's 2.1 million residents. This renewed strategy aligns with Israel's goal to recover hostages held by Hamas while dismantling the group entirely.

As Israeli officials prepare for an offensive that they claim will not be initiated until after US President Donald Trump's upcoming visit, they suggest that this timeframe provides Hamas a chance to negotiate. However, the international community has reacted strongly, with criticisms from the UK, France, and the UN. UN Secretary-General António Guterres raised concerns over the potential civilian casualties and destruction that could result from Israel's plans, highlighting that UN agencies could not support the proposed aid delivery methods, deeming them contrary to fundamental humanitarian principles.