You’ve probably seen the headlines swirling around lately. They’re everywhere. Some say the fighting is finally over, others claim it’s just a PR stunt, and honestly, if you’re confused, you’re in good company. The big question—hamas calls for end of war is it true—is something millions of people are trying to untangle as we kick off 2026.
Here is the short answer: Yes, Hamas has officially signaled it wants the war to end, but "wanting an end" and "agreeing to terms" are two very different beasts.
As of January 2026, we are in a bizarre, fragile state of "phase two." The guns haven't gone totally silent, but the massive, earth-shaking aerial campaigns of 2024 and 2025 have largely morphed into a tense, grinding standoff. Just this week, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff announced that the ceasefire plan—often called the Trump 20-Point Plan—is moving into a second phase.
Hamas is currently saying they are ready to dissolve their own government in Gaza. Think about that for a second. A group that has ruled with an iron fist for nearly 20 years is saying, "Okay, we’ll step aside for a committee of experts."
But there’s a massive "but" attached to all of this.
The Reality Behind Hamas Calls for End of War Is It True?
To understand if this is "true," you have to look at what's happening on the ground in places like Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis. Hamas negotiator Khalil al-Hayya recently went on the record saying they received "guarantees" that the war has ended indefinitely. From their perspective, they’ve already won by surviving. They are calling for an end because, frankly, there isn't much left to govern. Gaza is a landscape of ruins, and the UN says it’ll take $50 billion and decades to fix.
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So, is it true? Yes, they are calling for it. But they aren't surrendering.
There's a distinction.
- Hamas wants: A total Israeli withdrawal, the border crossings opened, and a seat at the political table.
- Israel wants: Hamas completely disarmed and the return of every single remains of the hostages.
- The Gap: This is where things get messy.
Just yesterday, January 14, 2026, Witkoff was back on X (formerly Twitter), pushing for the return of the very last Israeli hostage remains—officer Ran Gvili. This one single issue is holding up the entire "truth" of the peace. While Hamas says the war is over, Netanyahu is calling these recent diplomatic moves "declarative." Basically, he thinks it's all talk until the guns are handed over.
What Phase Two Actually Means
If you’re looking for a sign that the war might actually be over, keep an eye on the "National Committee for the Administration of Gaza" (NCAG). This is the "technocratic" government everyone is talking about. It’s supposed to be led by Ali Shaath, a former Palestinian Authority official.
The idea is simple: Hamas stops running the schools and the police, and this committee of engineers and doctors takes over. Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem told Al-Jazeera that they are "ready to facilitate" this.
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But talk to anyone living in a tent in Gaza City right now, and they’ll tell you a different story. Even though a ceasefire is "in effect," nine people were killed in strikes just this past Thursday. The war is "over" on paper, but people are still dying. That’s the nuance the headlines usually miss.
Why Hamas is Pushing This Narrative Now
Why now? Why not a year ago? Honestly, the leverage has shifted.
The group has lost almost all its top-tier leadership. Sinwar, Haniyeh, Deif—they’re all gone. The remaining political bureau, sitting in places like Doha or Cairo, is looking at a winter that is killing people through hypothermia as much as through combat. They need the aid. They need the reconstruction money.
They are using the phrase "ending the unjust war" to pivot. If they can frame the end of the war as a "resilience victory," they might survive as a political movement even if they lose their military wings.
The Sticking Points That Could Break Everything
It isn't just about a "call" for peace. It’s about the fine print.
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- Disarmament: This is the big one. Israel and the U.S. say Hamas must disarm. Hamas says they’ll "discuss" the issue of "resistance weapons" once a new government is in place. That is a huge, gaping hole in the agreement.
- The "Board of Peace": There's talk of a Trump-led international board to oversee Gaza. Who is on it? Nobody knows yet.
- The Final Hostage: As long as the remains of that last hostage aren't returned, the Israeli military reserves the right to jump back into full-scale combat.
Navigating the Information Fog
When you ask, "Hamas calls for end of war is it true," you have to realize that in the Middle East, "truth" is often a moving target.
Hamas is calling for an end to the fighting while trying to maintain its existence. Israel is calling for an end to the threat while maintaining security control.
You've got a situation where both sides are exhausted. The U.S. is pushing hard for a win to show that its "20-Point Plan" actually works. But "truth" on the ground is measured in truckloads of flour and the absence of drones buzzing overhead. Right now, the flour is barely trickling in, and the drones are still there.
Actionable Insights: What to Watch For Next
If you want to know if the war is actually ending, don't just listen to the official Hamas Telegram channels. Watch these three things instead:
- The Rafah Crossing: If this opens up for regular commercial traffic (not just a few aid trucks), the war is effectively winding down.
- Ali Shaath’s Arrival: If the technocratic committee actually moves into offices in Gaza and starts paying salaries, Hamas is truly stepping back.
- The International Security Force: Keep an ear out for which countries (if any) actually agree to put boots on the ground to keep the peace. Without them, the ceasefire is just a countdown to the next explosion.
The situation is incredibly fluid. One side says it's a "new era," the other says it's "symbolic." The reality is likely somewhere in the middle—a cold peace that feels a lot like a frozen war.
For more updates on the transition to Gaza's new administration, you can check out the latest reports from the Associated Press or the Middle East Institute, which are tracking the technocratic committee's progress daily.