Hope for a ceasefire in Gaza suffered a significant blow after Izz al-Din al-Haddad, the 55-year-old commander of Hamas’s military wing—the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades—rejected a comprehensive U.S.-backed proposal aimed at ending the conflict. According to a BBC report, al-Haddad dismissed the deal as a strategy to “eliminate Hamas,” vowing instead to continue what he calls the group’s “resistance.”
The rejection highlights long-standing divisions within Hamas, where the extremist military wing frequently overrides the more politically pragmatic elements of the organization. While some members of Hamas’s political leadership have expressed conditional support for the deal—with suggested modifications—their influence remains marginal, largely because it is the military wing that continues to hold the hostages taken during the brutal October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks on Israel.
The U.S. proposal, endorsed by President Donald Trump and supported by regional powers including Egypt and Qatar, offers a phased ceasefire, the release of hostages, and significant reconstruction aid for Gaza. Israeli officials have welcomed the international effort, emphasizing that any sustainable solution must begin with the unconditional return of hostages and the dismantling of Hamas’s military infrastructure.
However, al-Haddad’s hardline stance reaffirms Hamas’s longstanding opposition to compromise and peaceful resolution. By rejecting the plan outright, Hamas has once again demonstrated its prioritization of armed conflict over the welfare of civilians—both in Israel and in Gaza.
Diplomatic sources say that despite ongoing efforts by mediators, al-Haddad’s control over military operations and the hostage situation makes progress exceedingly difficult. His rejection reinforces concerns that Hamas is not interested in peace, but rather in prolonging instability to preserve its grip on power.
As Israel continues targeted operations to neutralize terror threats and secure its citizens, the international community is left grappling with how to move forward in the face of Hamas’s continued intransigence.
