Israel (Washington Insider Magazine)—Israel appeared caught off-guard on Monday as Hamas announced its acceptance of a ceasefire proposal from Egypt and Qatar. However, Israel swiftly rejected the deal and reinforced its stance by seizing control of the Gaza-Egypt border in Rafah, signaling no intention to pause the conflict.
For many analysts, the message is clear: Israel aims to continue its operations in Gaza, despite the catastrophic humanitarian impact on Gaza’s population. According to Mairav Zonszein, a senior analyst for the International Crisis Group, Israel’s actions suggest that any possibility of a permanent ceasefire remains distant as long as the military campaign continues.
Israel justifies its offensive on Rafah as part of a broader mission to dismantle Hamas battalions and to close the alleged weapon smuggling routes through the Gaza-Egypt crossing. Humanitarian groups, however, warn that closing the border will worsen conditions for Gaza’s residents, especially the hundreds of thousands displaced and now crowded in Rafah.
Meanwhile, the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, alongside CIA Director William Burns, have worked to mediate a truce. Yet, reports indicate that Israel considers the terms of this Hamas ceasefire agreement inconsistent with prior proposals and remains unwilling to accept a lasting ceasefire.
Analysts point to the broader political pressures on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. With strong public support for the Gaza offensive, Netanyahu’s political future could be jeopardized by halting the conflict. Key coalition members, including far-right ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, have reportedly threatened to collapse the government if a ceasefire is agreed upon.
Hugh Lovatt of the European Council for Foreign Relations explains that Israel’s reluctance may stem from the optics of agreeing on terms perceived as favorable to Hamas. Taking control of Rafah may be an attempt to demonstrate military gains before considering any truce.
However, escalations in Rafah pose both strategic and humanitarian risks for Netanyahu and could strain relations with the U.S., which has already delayed precision weapon sales to Israel. While the U.S. urges caution, analysts believe its influence could still be decisive if it chooses to assert pressure on Netanyahu to avoid a wider escalation in Rafah.
