Hamas announced on Friday that it had responded “in a positive spirit” to a U.S.-mediated ceasefire proposal aimed at halting the nearly 21-month war in Gaza. The proposal, introduced by U.S. President Donald Trump, includes a 60-day truce, during which hostages would be released and talks would begin on ending the conflict.
Hamas stated it had completed internal and factional consultations and expressed readiness to engage in negotiations to implement the ceasefire framework.
President Trump said on Tuesday that Israel had accepted the necessary conditions to finalize the ceasefire and that a response from Hamas was expected soon.
He expressed optimism on Friday when asked about Hamas’ reply, suggesting a possible Gaza deal might be reached within the coming week. An Egyptian security official confirmed the existence of positive signs in Hamas’ reply but noted that certain Hamas demands still needed to be addressed for a final agreement.
Netanyahu Holds Firm as Ceasefire Talks Continue and Gaza Violence Intensifies Daily
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not officially commented on the U.S. proposal or Hamas’ response. While Israel is reportedly reviewing Hamas’ statement, Netanyahu’s public stance remains firm—demanding Hamas’ disarmament, a condition the group has refused.
With Netanyahu scheduled to meet Trump in Washington on Monday, expectations are high, but both sides remain publicly divided on core issues, including the future of Hamas’ military capabilities.
Hamas Signals Ceasefire Willingness as Trump Pushes Deal and Gaza Crisis DeepensDespite the ceasefire talks, violence continued on the ground. At least 138 Palestinians were reportedly killed in Israeli attacks over a 24-hour period. In Khan Younis, a strike on a tent encampment killed 15 displaced Palestinians, while Israeli forces claimed they had targeted militant infrastructure across Gaza.
Civilians, especially children, continue to suffer the brunt of the violence, with stories like that of 13-year-old Mayar Al Farr highlighting the human toll of the conflict.
Families of Hostages Urge Trump to Secure Deal Amid Deepening Gaza Crisis
Hostage families in Israel marked U.S. Independence Day by rallying outside a U.S. embassy building in Tel Aviv, urging Trump to secure a deal. Protesters symbolically set up a Sabbath dinner with 50 empty chairs to represent those still in captivity.
Many families, like that of hostage Avinatan Or and deceased soldier Itay Chen, called on Netanyahu and Trump to prioritize the release of captives in any ceasefire deal. The proposed agreement includes returning 10 live hostages and the remains of 18 others.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached devastating levels. With more than 57,000 Palestinians killed—most of them civilians—and over 2 million people displaced, Gaza faces widespread hunger and destruction.
Israel’s retaliatory campaign against Hamas, which began after the October 7, 2023, attack that killed about 1,200 Israelis and resulted in the abduction of 251 people, has led to severe damage to the enclave, now only partially controlled by Hamas. A ceasefire deal remains urgent amid growing international calls to end the suffering.