Hamas ceasefire reply rejected by mediators as Israel hardliners push to continue Gaza war

July 23, 2025 – 4:30 PM

Efforts to broker a ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas have hit another roadblock. According to Egyptian sources, Hamas’s latest proposal failed to meet the expectations of mediators from Egypt and Qatar. The setback comes as Israeli far-right ministers renew calls to escalate military action instead of negotiating.

What happened

On Wednesday, Hamas submitted a formal response to the latest ceasefire and hostage exchange proposal. The reply was delivered to mediators from Egypt and Qatar, who have been facilitating the ongoing talks.

However, an Egyptian source familiar with the discussions told CNN that the response “did not meet the expectations” of the mediators. As a result, they have requested that Hamas submit a revised proposal that could lead to progress.

“The mediators are pushing for the updated reply to arrive today,” the Egyptian source said, signaling a sense of urgency.

An Israeli official echoed the disappointment, stating that Hamas’s reply was so far removed from the previous terms on the table that “even the mediators found it unacceptable.”

“Israel hasn’t even officially received the reply,” the source added, underscoring how off-course the response was from earlier discussions.

Who is involved

The negotiations have been primarily mediated by Egypt and Qatar, two regional powers with direct lines of communication to Hamas.

On the Israeli side, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has been under intense political pressure from multiple factions—some urging a deal to bring hostages home, others demanding continued military pressure until Hamas is eliminated.

This week, the louder voices have come from the far right. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir both issued strong public statements against any form of agreement.

“The time has come to close the door once and for all on a partial deal,” Smotrich said in a statement on Wednesday.

Ben Gvir was even more direct: “We should not be talking to Hamas. Hamas must be destroyed – no humanitarian aid, no surrender deals.”

Why it matters

The breakdown in talks is yet another setback in efforts to end the ongoing war in Gaza, which has led to a massive humanitarian crisis, thousands of civilian deaths, and intense international pressure for a ceasefire.

Each failed negotiation pushes both sides further apart and adds urgency to diplomatic efforts behind the scenes. Mediators are now racing against time to bring Hamas back to the table with a revised offer that aligns more closely with the original framework.

Meanwhile, public divisions within Israel’s government show how internal political dynamics could affect the outcome. Hardline positions from influential ministers may limit Netanyahu’s flexibility in accepting any compromise—especially as Hamas’s latest reply is seen as falling far short.

What’s next

There is still hope that a revised Hamas response could arrive soon. Mediators have urged Hamas to send an updated proposal within the day.

If a new draft is submitted and meets minimum expectations, it could revive stalled negotiations. However, if it fails—or doesn’t arrive at all—Israel’s military campaign in Gaza is likely to continue with renewed intensity.

The longer the impasse continues, the harder it becomes to find middle ground. Every hour lost adds to the toll on civilians trapped in Gaza, and increases regional tensions that could spill beyond Israel and the Palestinian territories.

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