Hamas Announces Start of a New Round of Ceasefire Talks in Gaza
Hamas enters a new round of ceasefire negotiations, urging Israel to withdraw from Gaza and honor past agreements, as Israeli military aggression intensifies in the West Bank.
Watan-Hamas announced on Tuesday evening the start of a new round of ceasefire negotiations in Gaza, affirming its “responsible and positive approach” and expressing hope for “tangible progress toward the second phase of talks, paving the way for ending the aggression and securing the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.”
The statement was made by Hamas official Abdul Rahman Shadeed and published on the movement’s official digital platforms.
Shadeed confirmed that Hamas had “initiated a new round of ceasefire negotiations today,” emphasizing the group’s commitment to engaging “responsibly and positively” in discussions, including those with U.S. envoy for hostage affairs, Adam Boehler.
“We hope this round will lead to tangible progress toward the second phase of negotiations, paving the way for ending the aggression, ensuring Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza, and finalizing a prisoner exchange deal,” he added.
Israeli Stalling in Doha Talks
Following Israel’s decision to send a negotiating delegation to Doha on Monday, the Qatari capital is now hosting indirect talks between Israel and Hamas. The negotiations follow prolonged delays from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has resisted moving to the second phase of the Gaza agreement—an essential step toward ending the war.
The first phase of the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement, mediated by Qatar and Egypt with U.S. backing, concluded on March 1, 2025. It began on January 19, 2025. However, Netanyahu has refused to proceed with the next stage, seeking to secure the release of additional Israeli captives without fulfilling Israel’s obligations—chiefly, ending the war and withdrawing from Gaza.
On March 8, Netanyahu claimed Hamas rejected a U.S. proposal for a temporary ceasefire during Ramadan and Passover. He used this assertion to justify Israel’s continued blockade of humanitarian aid into Gaza, which began on March 2, a move widely condemned as a war crime under international law.
Escalation in the West Bank
Shadeed also warned of Israeli plans targeting the West Bank, accusing Israel of attempting to displace Palestinians, destroy towns, villages, and refugee camps, and erase their historical and demographic identity as part of the so-called “Greater Jerusalem” colonial project.
He highlighted Israel’s recent approval of 2,684 new settlement units, calling it a significant escalation in illegal settlement expansion that threatens Palestinian existence in the West Bank.
Additionally, he noted Israel’s ongoing military operations, stating:
- The Israeli army has maintained a large-scale assault on Jenin and its refugee camp for 51 consecutive days.
- The military offensive in Tulkarm and its refugee camps, Nur Shams and Tulkarm, has persisted for 43 days.
- Violent raids across multiple cities, villages, and refugee camps in the West Bank have intensified during Ramadan.
Since launching its war on Gaza, Israel has escalated its attacks in the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Official Palestinian data reports that Israeli forces and settlers have killed 934 Palestinians, wounded nearly 7,000, and arrested 14,500 since October 7, 2023.
U.S.-Backed Genocide in Gaza
With U.S. support, Israel has been carrying out what Palestinians describe as genocide in Gaza since October 7, 2023. According to Palestinian authorities, the war has resulted in:
- Over 160,000 Palestinian casualties (killed and injured), the majority of whom are women and children.
- More than 14,000 missing persons, feared dead under the rubble.
Hamas continues to push for a comprehensive ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, and a long-term resolution to the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. However, Israel’s resistance to fulfilling its commitments raises concerns about the future of the negotiations.
