Hamas Expresses Approval for Ceasefire Proposal by Requesting Modifications | Global Affairs

Hamas has stated that it has provided a “positive response” to the latest proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza to mediators.

The plan for a 60-day ceasefire was brought forward by US President Donald Trump, who has been pushing for an end to the conflict in Gaza, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu scheduled to visit the White House next week to discuss a possible deal.

Mr. Trump stated that Israel has agreed to his proposed ceasefire conditions, and he urged Hamas to accept the deal as well.

Hamas’ response to the proposal varied slightly on issues related to humanitarian aid, the status of the Israeli Defense Forces within Gaza, and the language regarding guarantees beyond the 60-day ceasefire, according to a source familiar with the talks.

Nevertheless, the source told Sky News: “Things are looking positive.”

Hamas confirmed it is “completely prepared to immediately start negotiations regarding the mechanism for implementing this framework” without specifying the details of what needs to be discussed for the proposal’s implementation.

The US has stated that during the ceasefire, it would “collaborate with all parties to stop the war”.

A representative from Hamas, speaking anonymously, indicated that the truce might begin as early as next week.

However, he added that discussions are needed to decide on the number of Palestinian prisoners to be released in exchange for each freed Israeli hostage and to establish the amount of humanitarian aid that will enter Gaza during the ceasefire.

He confirmed that negotiations regarding a permanent ceasefire and the full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza in exchange for all remaining hostages’ release would begin on the first day of the truce.

Hamas has been calling for guarantees that the 60-day ceasefire would conclude the almost 21-month conflict, which caused previous negotiating rounds to fail, as Mr. Netanyahu insists that Israel will continue its military actions in Gaza to ensure Hamas’s destruction.

The Hamas official said Mr. Trump has assured that the ceasefire will extend beyond 60 days if needed to reach a peace deal, although there is no confirmation of such a promise from the US.

Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, Mr. Trump welcomed Hamas’s “positive sentiment” toward the proposal, adding that a ceasefire deal could be achieved by next week.

Hamas has also demanded more aid to be delivered through the United Nations and other humanitarian agencies, following a UN human rights officer’s report of 613 Palestinians killed in Gaza within one month while attempting to obtain assistance.

The majority were said to have been killed while trying to reach food distribution points run by the controversial US- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).

The UN human rights office spokeswoman, Ravina Shamdasani, stated that the agency couldn’t assign responsibility for the killings but added that “it’s clear that the Israeli military has shelled and fired upon Palestinians trying to get to the distribution points” operated by GHF.

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Ms. Shamdasani stated that of the total reported, 509 killings were “GHF-related,” meaning they occurred at or near GHF distribution sites.

The GHF accused the UN of taking its casualty figures “directly from the Hamas-controlled Gaza health ministry” and of attempting “to falsely smear our effort,” echoing statements made to Sky News by GHF’s executive director, Johnnie Moore.

Mr. Moore called the UN figures a “disinformation campaign” meant to discredit GHF’s efforts in the Gaza Strip.