Hamas signals positive response to U.S.-brokered Gaza ceasefire plan

Hamas announced on Friday that it had responded “positively” to a U.S.-mediated proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza and expressed readiness to engage in talks to implement the agreement, which envisions releasing hostages and negotiating an end to the conflict.

U.S. President Donald Trump had earlier unveiled what he described as a “final proposal” for a 60-day ceasefire to halt the nearly 21-month-long war between Israel and Hamas, saying he expected a response from both sides within hours.

On its official website, Hamas stated:
“The Hamas movement has completed its internal consultations and discussions with Palestinian factions and forces regarding the latest proposal from the mediators aimed at ending the aggression against our people in Gaza.

The movement has conveyed its response to the mediators in a positive spirit and is fully prepared, with utmost seriousness, to immediately engage in a new round of negotiations on the implementation mechanism of this framework.”

However, a Palestinian official from a militant group allied with Hamas noted ongoing concerns over humanitarian aid deliveries, the status of the Rafah crossing with Egypt, and the timeline for Israeli troop withdrawals.

Trump said on Tuesday that Israel had agreed to the “necessary conditions to finalise” a 60-day ceasefire, during which efforts would focus on ending the war in Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is scheduled to meet Trump in Washington on Monday, has not publicly responded to Trump’s statement. The two sides remain far apart in their official positions, with Netanyahu insisting Hamas must be disarmed — a condition the group, which is believed to be holding 20 living hostages, has so far rejected.

Israeli media, citing an Israeli official, reported that Israel had received Hamas’ response and was reviewing it.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Friday, Trump sounded optimistic when asked about Hamas’ reply.
“They said they gave me a positive response? Well, that’s good,” he said, adding that he had not yet been formally briefed. “There could be a Gaza deal next week.”

An Egyptian security official told Reuters that Egypt, along with Qatar, had received Hamas’ response, which contained “positive signs suggesting an agreement is close,” but noted there were still demands from Hamas that needed further negotiation.

Trump has also pledged to press Netanyahu on achieving a prompt ceasefire in Gaza, saying the Israeli leader shares that goal.

Overnight Attacks and Civilian Casualties

Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes killed at least 138 Palestinians in Gaza over the past 24 hours, according to local health officials.

Health workers at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis reported that the Israeli military struck a tent encampment west of the city around 2 a.m., killing 15 displaced Palestinians.

The Israeli military stated that its forces operating in the Khan Younis area had killed militants, seized weapons, and dismantled Hamas outposts in the previous 24 hours. The military also reported hitting 100 targets across Gaza, including weapons caches and launch sites.

Later on Friday, Palestinians gathered to perform funeral prayers for those killed overnight.
“There should have been a ceasefire long ago before I lost my brother,” sobbed 13-year-old Mayar Al Farr. Her brother, Mahmoud, was shot dead while trying to collect aid, she said.
“He went to get flour for us. He was shot in the neck,” she added.

Families of Hostages Demand Action

In Tel Aviv, families and supporters of hostages held by Hamas marked U.S. Independence Day with a demonstration outside a U.S. embassy building, urging Trump to secure a deal to release the captives.

Protesters arranged a symbolic Sabbath dinner table with 50 empty chairs representing those still held in Gaza. Nearby banners displayed Trump’s post on Truth Social: “MAKE THE DEAL IN GAZA. GET THE HOSTAGES BACK!!!”

“Only you can make the deal. We want one beautiful deal. One beautiful hostage deal,” said Gideon Rosenberg, 48, from Tel Aviv. He wore a shirt with the image of Avinatan Or, an employee abducted from the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023, who is among the 20 hostages believed to be alive after more than 600 days in captivity.

An official familiar with the negotiations said the proposal envisions the release of 10 hostages during the 60-day ceasefire, along with the return of the bodies of 18 others who died in captivity.

Ruby Chen, 55, whose 19-year-old son Itay — an American-Israeli dual national — is believed to have been killed after being taken hostage, urged Netanyahu to secure a deal with Trump that would bring all hostages home.

Mounting Casualties and Aid Challenges

The war, triggered by Hamas’ surprise attack on southern Israel in October 2023 that killed about 1,200 people and saw 251 abducted, has devastated Gaza. Israeli airstrikes and ground operations have killed more than 57,000 Palestinians — most of them civilians — according to local health authorities. The fighting has displaced nearly the entire population of Gaza, fueling severe hunger.

On Saturday, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) said two American aid workers were injured in a grenade attack at a food distribution site. They were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

According to GHF, the attack was carried out by two assailants who threw grenades at the aid workers as they concluded a successful food distribution. GHF said it has delivered over 52 million meals in Gaza since May but has faced threats to its staff’s safety.

The Israeli military later accused “terrorist organisations” of targeting aid efforts to destabilize food distribution.

Escalation Near Aid Sites

Gaza’s authorities reported that Israeli forces killed at least 70 people in the past 24 hours, including 23 near aid distribution sites. The Israeli military did not immediately comment.

In its Friday statement, the military claimed it had killed 100 militants over the past week and established “operational control” over 65% of Gaza through offensives in the north.

Meanwhile, Hamas’ interior ministry warned residents against cooperating with GHF, saying incidents near its sites put lives at risk.

The United Nations has criticized GHF, saying the U.S.-based group bypasses established aid channels and lacks neutrality. The U.N. also reported that over 400 Palestinians have been killed since Israel lifted its 11-week aid blockade on May 19, most while seeking aid near distribution sites.