Fri Jul 18 18:36:52 UTC 2025: ## Hamas Warns of “Long War” if Israel Abandons Ceasefire Talks, Threatens End to Partial Deals
**Doha, Qatar** – Hamas’s military wing spokesperson, Abu Obeida, issued a stark warning on Friday, stating that the group is prepared for a protracted war and will not guarantee future partial deals if Israel abandons the current ceasefire negotiations in Qatar.
In a pre-recorded video message, Obeida accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of rejecting a comprehensive deal proposed by Hamas that would have seen the release of all captives held in Gaza. He claimed Netanyahu’s government has “no real interest” in the captives, particularly the soldiers, and that Hamas prioritizes a deal that ensures an end to the war, a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces, and the unimpeded entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
“If Israel withdraws from this round of indirect talks,” Obeida stated, “then Hamas does not guarantee a return to any partial deals,” referencing the 60-day proposal currently under discussion. Hamas is believed to be holding around 50 people in Gaza, with approximately 20 believed to be alive.
Obeida’s message, his first since early March, asserted that Hamas fighters are “ready to continue a long battle of attrition” and will persist in ambushing Israeli soldiers throughout Gaza. He also criticized Arab and Islamic nations for their perceived inaction in the face of what he termed a “genocide” being committed by Israel in Gaza.
The announcement comes as ceasefire talks in Doha remain stalled. According to reports, Israel is insisting on maintaining and expanding military control over Gaza, including establishing corridors separating Rafah and Khan Younis from the rest of the enclave.
The situation on the ground in Gaza remains dire. Humanitarian aid continues to be blocked by Israeli forces, and reports indicate that starving Palestinians have been killed at aid distribution sites. Furthermore, despite international condemnation, Israel is reportedly advancing plans to build a camp in the ruins of Rafah.
Al Jazeera reports that at least 41 Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces on Friday alone. The Gaza Ministry of Health states that over 58,667 Palestinians have been killed and 139,974 wounded since the start of the conflict in October 2023, with a significant portion of casualties occurring since the last ceasefire was broken in March. The Ministry also highlights an “unprecedented” surge in severely malnourished individuals, including children, being admitted to Gaza’s struggling hospitals.
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