'Israel' rejects temporary truce, plans to escalate action in Gaza

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
2 May 2025 20:42

"Israel" has rejected a proposed Gaza temporary truce and plans to expand its military operations in the Strip, citing pressure tactics against Hamas.

Listen

Palestinians look at the damage after an Israeli army airstrike in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza Strip, Monday, April 28, 2025 (AP)

Attempts to reach a temporary truce in the Gaza Strip have failed, the Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom reported on Friday, pointing out that "Israel insists on expanding its military operations" in the Palestinian enclave.

The newspaper added that "Israel" "informed mediators of its rejection of the proposed ceasefire in Gaza and its withdrawal from the conditions that had been agreed upon in recent days."

According to Israel Hayom, "Israel expressed its desire to maintain its military presence inside the Strip until the end of the year and to expand the scope of its military operation."

Israeli media also reported that "Israel" is moving toward more aggressive action in Gaza in the near future and a gradual expansion of the fighting.

Escalating Israeli aggression aims to pressure Hamas

A few days earlier, the Zman Yisrael news outlet cited an Israeli source as saying that "Israel will not accept a ceasefire agreement in Gaza lasting five years."

The source added that the escalation of aggression in Gaza "aims to apply continuous pressure on Hamas to force it to accept Israel’s terms in the prisoner exchange deal."

Israeli media reported that a decision has been reached in "Israel" to call up tens of thousands of reservists in preparation for expanding the operation in Gaza.

According to Yedioth Ahronoth, “With the 36th Division continuing its offensive in Rafah, the Israeli army is preparing to ramp up its military efforts in Gaza next week if no progress is made in negotiations over a potential agreement.”

“In recent days, several reserve officers have alerted their units to prepare for a sudden call-up,” the daily said.

Over the weekend, the Israeli occupation army issued a statement indicating that reserve deployments would be carried out “with care and responsibility, based on objective and professional considerations.”

However, Israeli media clarified that the decision does not signal an imminent full-scale and comprehensive ground invasion of the Strip, but rather a transitional phase aimed at creating an opportunity to reach an agreement.

Gaza ceasefire negotiation reach an impasse

In late April, Egypt's intelligence chief, Hassan Rashad, met with Israeli negotiators in Cairo for talks aimed at reaching a ceasefire in Gaza, according to Egyptian state-affiliated media.

The meeting with the Israeli delegation, led by Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, follows a visit to Cairo by a Hamas delegation a few days earlier, Al-Qahera News reported.

Egypt, alongside Qatar and the United States, has been at the forefront of diplomatic efforts to end the devastating war on the Gaza Strip, now entering its 18th month.

A Hamas official, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, said the group was open to a "one-time prisoner exchange and a five-year truce."

The renewed round of talks comes after Hamas rejected an Israeli proposal earlier this month, describing it as "partial".

Hamas continues to insist that any agreement must include a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a permanent ceasefire, conditions "Israel" has thus far refused to accept.

"Israel" is demanding the release of all captives in Gaza and the disarmament of Hamas, conditions the Palestinian group considers a "red line".