Israeli Government Dismisses Hamas Peace Proposal Amid Ongoing Conflict

Thu Oct 23 2025 14:13:27 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejects Hamas's offer for a comprehensive deal to end the Gaza war and release hostages, insisting on stringent conditions.

Israeli officials have dismissed a statement from Hamas expressing readiness for a 'comprehensive deal' aimed at ending the Gaza conflict and freeing hostages. Prime Minister Netanyahu's office labeled Hamas's announcement as 'spin' and reiterated that hostilities would cease only under specific conditions, including the disarmament of Hamas and Israel's control over security in Gaza. The ongoing situation has left hostages' families anxious about their loved ones' safety as military actions escalate.

Israel has rejected a statement from Hamas saying the armed group is ready for a 'comprehensive deal' to end the Gaza war and free all its hostages.

This is more spin by Hamas that has nothing new, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said.

It insisted the war would end only once the 48 hostages - 20 of whom are believed to be alive - were released, Hamas was disarmed, Gaza was demilitarised, Israel had security control, and an 'alternative civilian administration' was established.

Hamas reiterated its call for a deal that would see hostages exchanged for Palestinian prisoners, Israeli forces withdraw, border crossings reopened, and the start of reconstruction.

The group also said it agreed to the formation of an administration run by independent technocrats to govern post-war Gaza.

The statement came shortly after US President Donald Trump posted on social media: Tell Hamas to IMMEDIATELY give back all 20 Hostages (Not 2 or 5 or 7!), and things will change rapidly. IT WILL END!

Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Tuesday that Hamas had to choose between accepting Israel's terms or seeing Gaza 'become the equivalent of Rafah and Beit Hanoun', which have been largely flattened by Israeli bombardment. The Israeli military was 'preparing in full force', he warned.

Families of hostages are concerned that they will be endangered by the impending offensive to capture Gaza City, urging the government to agree on a deal to secure their release by ending the conflict.

Last month, Hamas proposed a plan for a truce that included a hostage release in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, but Israel has yet to respond formally, raising concerns about the situation's escalation.