Hamas offers to release all remaining hostages to end war in Gaza, but previously rejected disarmament

Hamas says it is ready to release all remaining hostages in exchange for an end to the war in Gaza and the release of all Palestinian prisoners.

The news was delivered by Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya said in a televised speech on Thursday, Apr. 17, 2025, Reuters and BBC reported.

However, Hamas said it will not accept Israel's latest ceasefire proposal.

Hayya said that the group will not accept "partial deals" that would serve Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's political agenda.

"Netanyahu and his government use partial agreements as a cover for their political agenda, which is based on continuing the war of extermination and starvation, even if the price is sacrificing all his prisoners (hostages)," Hayya said, as quoted by Reuters.

Israel latest proposal

Israel's latest proposal, which was issued to Egyptian and Qatari mediators on Monday (Apr. 21), includes a 45-day temporary ceasefire in exchange for the release of 10 hostages, according to CNN.

The proposal also seeks the disarmament of Gaza and does not guarantee a permanent end to the war.

59 hostages currently remain in captivity, and 24 are believed to be alive.

Israeli officials, according to Reuters, said that it will continue its offensive until all the remaining hostages are freed and Gaza is demilitarised.

Hamas, however, says it will only free the hostages as part of a deal to end the war. It also previously rejected Israel's demands to demilitarise.

"Israel shall not surrender to Hamas"

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said that Israel would continue its attack on Gaza.

“The state of Israel shall not surrender to Hamas and won’t end the war without the complete victory and fulfilment of all its objectives, including eliminating Hamas and returning all the hostages," he said, as quoted by CNN.

As Reuters put it:

"Israeli officials say that the offensive will continue until the remaining 59 hostages are freed and Gaza is demilitarised. Hamas insists it will free hostages only as part of a deal to end the war and has rejected demands to lay down its arms."

On Wednesday (Apr. 16), Israeli defence minister Israel Katz said: “Israel’s policy is clear: no humanitarian aid will enter Gaza, and blocking this aid is one of the main pressure levers preventing Hamas from using it as a tool with the population," as quoted by The Guardian.

The next day (Apr. 17), at least 40 people were killed in Israel's latest airstrikes on Gaza, as reported by The Guardian.

Top image via Bashar Taleb/AFP