Hamas Signals Willingness to Negotiate Ceasefire Amid Escalating Violence

Hamas has officially expressed approval for a ceasefire proposal put forth by Donald Trump and indicated its readiness to engage in immediate negotiations for its implementation in Gaza. This statement was made public on Friday, wherein the Islamist group confirmed that it had communicated a positive response to mediators involved in the ceasefire discussions. While specific countries involved in the mediation process were not disclosed, the group did note that it had concluded internal consultations alongside discussions with various Palestinian factions regarding the latest proposal aimed at halting the ongoing violence against civilians in Gaza. Furthermore, the movement highlighted its readiness to commence negotiations regarding the execution of a truce framework swiftly. According to reports from Israeli media outlet Ynet, a source within Hamas mentioned that the group is seeking minor modifications to the proposal text, notably advocating for the elimination of the humanitarian aid distribution mechanism overseen by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Instead, they propose that the UN should resume control of the aid distribution process. The crux of the proposal entails a 60-day truce, originally suggested months ago by Steve Witkoff, the US Government's Middle East envoy. Israel has supported this framework since its inception; however, Hamas had previously dismissed the offer, criticizing it for a lack of provisions addressing the withdrawal of Israeli forces or a cessation of military offensives. Following President Trump’s recent announcement regarding progress toward a ceasefire agreement, Hamas conveyed that it was evaluating the proposals that have surfaced. Nonetheless, they firmly stated that any forthcoming agreement would be conditional upon the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and the urgent distribution of much-needed humanitarian aid to the beleaguered population. The dire humanitarian situation remains critical, with reports indicating that over 57,000 Gazans have lost their lives, and more than 132,000 have sustained injuries due to Israeli military actions since the conflict began, according to statistics from the Health Ministry of the Hamas Government in Gaza. In the last 48 hours alone, Israeli forces have reportedly killed over 300 Palestinians, stirring outrage and widespread condemnation. The Israeli government has expressed regret over the impact of its military actions on civilians, including the tragic death of the director of a key hospital in Gaza. As the situation develops, many are keeping a close eye on whether a viable truce will be established and what steps will be taken to address the urgent humanitarian crisis facing Gazans. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2