• Senior Hamas officials in Gaza claim they have received explicit guarantees from mediators and the U.S. Administration confirming the war has "completely ended."
  • The announcement follows a carefully brokered ceasefire agreement that came into effect in January 2025 after over 15 months of conflict.
  • Implementation has been marked by mutual accusations of violations, though international pressure appears to be solidifying the truce.

A Formal End to Hostilities

Hamas officials in Gaza asserted on Tuesday that the group has received clear guarantees from mediators and the U.S. Administration confirming that the war has "completely ended," marking a potential definitive close to hostilities that have ravaged the region for more than 15 months. The statements, made by senior figures within the group's Gaza leadership, point to a significant diplomatic breakthrough following a ceasefire agreement that was approved and signed by both sides in mid-January 2025.

Efforts to restructure the conflict's trajectory have apparently hit a critical milestone. According to people familiar with the matter, the guarantees were conveyed through Egyptian and Qatari channels, with backing from the U.S. State Department. A spokesperson for Hamas in Gaza stated that "the written assurances confirm the transition from a temporary truce to a permanent cessation of military operations."

A Fragile Implementation

The ceasefire itself, which involved staged exchanges of hostages and prisoners and a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, has been operational since January but has been fraught with tension. Both sides have repeatedly accused the other of violating the terms, particularly regarding the flow of humanitarian aid and the timely release of detainees. These disputes fueled ongoing skepticism among local populations and the families of those still held.

Without these latest guarantees, the entire agreement risked unraveling. The United Nations Security Council had previously thrown its weight behind the process, adopting Resolution 2735 in June 2025 to back the U.S.-mediated proposal. The persistent disputes over the deal's timeline, however, had left the final status of the war in a state of ambiguity until now.

International Pressure and the Road Ahead

The involvement of the U.S. and key regional mediators demonstrates the intense international engagement aimed at securing lasting stability. Diplomatic pressure, including from both the outgoing Biden and incoming Trump administrations, was instrumental in shaping the final terms and pushing for acceptance from both Israel and Hamas.

If the guarantees hold, the focus is expected to shift decisively toward humanitarian access and the mammoth task of reconstructing Gaza. Aid agencies are preparing for the return of displaced persons and the initiation of reconstruction projects slated to unfold over the next several years. However, expert analyses caution that the situation remains fragile due to deep-seated distrust between the parties. A spokesperson for the Israeli Prime Minister's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the Hamas claims.

Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated the timing of the UN Security Council resolution. It was adopted in June 2025, not July.