A senior Hamas official announced on Tuesday that the group sees “no sense” in continuing further negotiations for a truce in Gaza as long as Israel maintains its ongoing siege and daily bombardment of the territory, which Hamas has labeled a “hunger war.” The statement comes amid increasingly dire warnings from health officials in Gaza about an “imminent disaster” unfolding due to severe shortages of food, water, and medical supplies.
Basem Naim, a Hamas political bureau member based in Istanbul and a former Gaza health minister, conveyed the group’s stance to reporters, emphasizing that there is “no sense in engaging in talks or considering new ceasefire proposals as long as the hunger war and extermination war continue in the Gaza Strip.” He called upon the international community to exert pressure on the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to immediately cease what he described as the “crimes of hunger, thirst, and killings” being perpetrated in Gaza.
Naim’s remarks follow closely on the heels of comments made by Prime Minister Netanyahu just a day prior, in which he indicated plans for a new ground offensive in Gaza. Netanyahu reportedly stated that Gaza’s population of approximately two million people “will be moved” as part of this operation, raising concerns about potential ethnic cleansing of the enclave. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) further elaborated that expanded operations would involve relocating “most” of the population from combat zones to areas where Hamas is not present.
These developments occur against a backdrop of stalled internationally mediated talks aimed at achieving a ceasefire in the conflict, which was triggered by the Hamas-led incursion into southern Israel. Both sides have reportedly remained entrenched in positions with mutually unacceptable terms, leading to the current impasse in negotiations.
The term “hunger war,” used by Hamas to describe Israel’s actions, refers to the severe restrictions on the entry of aid into Gaza, exacerbating an already critical humanitarian situation. International organizations and aid agencies have repeatedly warned of the catastrophic consequences of these restrictions on the civilian population, particularly the vulnerability of children to malnutrition and disease.
France and China have also recently voiced their condemnation of Israel’s plans for a major offensive in Gaza, expressing concerns about the potential for mass displacement and the long-term seizure of territory. The international pressure on Israel to alleviate the humanitarian crisis and resume meaningful ceasefire talks is mounting.
The suspension of indirect talks between Iran and the United States, which were scheduled to continue in Rome, further complicates the regional landscape. The postponement, requested by Oman’s foreign minister who has been mediating the negotiations, leaves the possibility of de-escalation even more uncertain. A new date for these talks has not yet been announced.
The latest statement from Hamas suggests a hardening of their position, linking any resumption of truce negotiations directly to an end to the Israeli blockade and military operations in Gaza. This stance poses a significant challenge to ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving a sustainable ceasefire and addressing the urgent humanitarian needs of the population in Gaza. The international community now faces the critical task of finding a way to de-escalate the conflict and ensure the delivery of essential aid to the millions of civilians trapped in the escalating crisis.
