Hamas ends truce talks as Israel pushes for full Gaza control: ‘Diplomacy is dead’

Hamas officially suspended ceasefire negotiations with Israel on Tuesday, May 6. The organization mentioned widespread hunger, increasing civilian casualties, and forced displacement throughout Gaza as major reasons. Israel, on the same day, widened its military campaign in an apparent bid for complete control of the Gaza Strip.

Since it resumed its attack on March 18—following a two-month hiatus—Israel has killed more than 2,400 Palestinians. As famine approaches and humanitarian systems fail, the war has reached its darkest point. In the meantime, international outrage mounts, but no diplomatic breakthrough appears near.

Hamas Blames Israel for Humanitarian Collapse

Hamas leader Basem Naim stated that additional talks are nonsensical. He blamed Israel for waging a “hunger war” and trying to “exterminate” Gazans. Naim, Gaza’s former health minister, stated no political solution is acceptable as starvation and suffering worsen.

Due to Israel’s complete blockade since March 2, vital supplies have disappeared. Food, fresh water, and medicine are still inaccessible. Consequently, aid agencies and the United Nations are now threatening future famine. The hardship has driven both Hamas and the general population to greater despair and defiance.

Israel Plans to Occupy Gaza and Drive out Civilians

Meanwhile, Israeli sources confirmed intentions to conquer the entire Gaza Strip and keep control of it. The military campaign will be the greatest escalation since October 7 when war broke out. Israeli military targets are intended to clear neighborhoods en masse and drive out sections of Gaza’s population in numbers.

Israeli defense spokesperson Effie Defrin laid out a scheme to “transfer civilians” under the cover of protection. Still, Tuesday saw more residents, including a child, killed by attacks, reported Gaza’s civil defense agency. Consequently, numerous Gazans remain highly skeptical about Israel’s stated safety initiatives.

Global Leaders Criticize Israel’s Action

International outrage soon followed. UN Secretary-General António Guterres described Israel’s plans for expansion as profoundly troubling. His spokesman, Farhan Haq, cautioned that the operation would lead to further death and destruction. The UN emphasized that any Palestinian state in the future had to include Gaza.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot was more outspoken. He called Israel’s actions a breach of humanitarian law. He also called on the international community to react firmly and with urgency.

Gaza’s Pain Echoes the Nakba

For many Palestinians, the mass evictions recall memories of the 1948 Nakba. That displacement drove over 700,000 Palestinians from their homes. Today, almost all of Gaza’s inhabitants have already been displaced. Many fled repeatedly, only to encounter new bombings and increasing scarcity.

This ongoing trauma sparks greater resentment and intense resistance. It also sends the prospect of diplomacy further out of reach.

Hamas Calls for World Action Against Israel

In turn, Hamas now urges more international pressure on Israel. Naim called for world powers to intervene and halt what he termed “crimes of hunger, thirst, and mass killings.” He further added that Hamas no longer believes negotiations are the way to relief.

Hamas still has a number of hostages from the October 7 attacks. In that attack, 1,218 Israelis were killed. Of the 251 hostages, 58 are still in Gaza, and 34 are assumed dead.

The war keeps on escalating while diplomacy collapses. Without immediate humanitarian assistance and international accountability, any peace process is doomed. So long as civilians have no food, medicine, and security, more negotiations will not work. Delay will only mean more innocent lives lost.