Hamas says it has ‘not closed the door’ on talks
A Palestinian Hamas member carries a rifle as militants and people gather at the site of the handing over of Israeli hostages at the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip as part of the seventh hostage-prisoner release on February 22, 2025 (AFP Photo)
Hamas has stated that it remains open to negotiations despite Israel’s recent intensification of airstrikes on Gaza, marking the deadliest wave of attacks since a cease-fire took effect on Jan. 19.
Hamas official calls for implementation of cease-fire agreement
Speaking to Agence France-Presse (AFP) from Cairo, Hamas official Taher al-Nunu emphasized the group has not rejected negotiations but sees no need for new agreements.
“Hamas has not closed the door on negotiations, but we insist there is no need for new agreements,” Nunu said. He called for Israel to be pressured into adhering to the existing cease-fire terms.
“There is no need for new agreements in light of the existing agreement signed by all parties,” he added.
The truce brokered under the administration of former U.S. President Joe Biden stipulated that Israeli forces should withdraw from Gaza and that a more lasting ceasefire should be implemented in a second phase, set to begin in early March.
Hamas urges immediate halt to Israeli strikes
Nunu stressed that Hamas had no preconditions for negotiations but demanded an end to what he described as an Israeli campaign of aggression.
“We have no conditions, but we demand that the occupation be compelled to immediately halt its aggression and war of extermination, and begin the second phase of negotiations,” he stated.
He urged the international community to take swift action, accusing Israel of violating the cease-fire agreement it had previously signed.
Israeli strikes on Gaza kill hundreds
On Tuesday, Israel launched a series of airstrikes on Gaza in what has been described as the most intense bombardment since the truce was established. The offensive reportedly resulted in the deaths of over 400 people, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
On Wednesday, Gaza’s civil defense agency confirmed that at least 13 additional people had been killed in overnight Israeli air raids.
The escalation comes as Israel seeks to force Hamas into releasing more hostages.
The truce, mediated by Qatar, the United States, and Egypt, was intended to create conditions for a broader resolution to the conflict, which reignited following Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
Germany urges restraint amid growing tensions
In response to the latest violence, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called for all parties to exercise restraint and return to negotiations.
“Israel’s raids on Gaza are shattering the tangible hopes of so many Israelis and Palestinians for an end to suffering on all sides,” Baerbock said ahead of her diplomatic visit to Lebanon.
She urged all sides to “show restraint, respect humanitarian law, and return to talks.”
Gaza reports high civilian casualties
The media office of the Gaza-based Palestinian government released updated casualty figures from Tuesday’s attacks, stating that among the 400 victims, 174 were children, 89 were women, and 32 were elderly.
Ismail Sawabite, the head of the government’s media office, stated that 73% of those killed were women, children, and elderly civilians.
“These figures clearly reveal Israel’s intent to complete its genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza,” Sawabite said.
The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor also reported that at least 150 Palestinian children were killed in Israel’s renewed strikes.
Israel resumes offensive after cease-fire breakdown
The Israeli military resumed large-scale operations in Gaza on March 18, with government officials stating that the renewed offensive was launched under the orders of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz.
In an official statement, the Israeli government declared that it would continue to apply increasing military pressure on Hamas.
Hamas, in turn, accused Israel of failing to honor its commitments and violating the ceasefire terms in the presence of international mediators.
“The Israeli government has abandoned its commitments and resumed its genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza,” Hamas said.
Meanwhile, families of Israeli hostages held in Gaza expressed outrage at the Netanyahu government, accusing it of abandoning the hostages by reigniting the war.
Netanyahu has faced growing criticism from opposition parties over his handling of the war. The latest escalation follows reports of political turmoil within Israel, including Netanyahu’s controversial decision to dismiss Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar.
