Hamas has declined to resume ceasefire talks with Israel, citing the “catastrophic famine” in Gaza as a precondition for any negotiation, a senior Hamas official told Al Manassa.
“The movement informed the mediators there is no point in negotiating while famine continues,” the Hamas official said on condition of anonymity. The comment came in response to renewed mediation efforts by Egypt and Qatar in recent hours.
The official added that Hamas is demanding the entry of substantial humanitarian aid to meet minimum civilian needs before talks can restart.
Meanwhile, Gaza’s Health Ministry announced Wednesday that seven people, including children, died from hunger and malnutrition in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of famine-related deaths to 154. Of those, 89 were children.
The Hamas official dismissed reports in Israeli media that resistance groups had been given a deadline to reach an agreement or face unilateral annexation of parts of the Gaza Strip. “This is nonsense,” he said, adding, “Negotiations will only resume when there are genuine signs of ending the starvation.”
The source accused Israel of using annexation threats to pressure the resistance. “If they were truly capable of annexing territory, they would have done so already,” he said. “All of their announced strategies — from the so-called Generals’ Plan to the 'Gideon’s Chariots' campaign — ended in failure when confronted by the resistance’s strength and the resilience of Gaza’s people.”
The official also denied claims that Hamas leaders in some Arab countries were asked to leave or shut down political offices. “All leadership figures remain in their respective host countries,” he said, adding that no state formally hosting Hamas has requested the closure of its offices, despite “Israeli pressure.”
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social, “The fastest way to end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is for Hamas to SURRENDER AND RELEASE THE HOSTAGES!!!”
Trump's statement coincided with US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff's arrival in Israel today for a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog said Witkoff’s visit represents a vital and critical effort that must not be missed, urging the full mobilization of resources to “bring the hostages home.”
Witkoff is also expected to visit a Gaza-based aid distribution center run by the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
The GHF began distributing food in Gaza in late May, operating four main aid centers that screen recipients to ensure no ties to Hamas.
However, Israeli forces have repeatedly shelled these distribution points, targeting displaced civilians seeking limited aid packages.
The sites have turned into deadly traps for starving residents. Since the program’s launch, 1,330 Palestinians have been killed and over 8,818 injured by Israeli fire while waiting for food, according to the Health Ministry.
