Hamas responds with "positive spirit" to US ceasefire proposal

Hamas has indicated a willingness to engage constructively with a US-brokered ceasefire proposal for Gaza, signalling readiness to begin talks on its implementation.

The proposal, announced by US President Donald Trump, calls for a 60-day truce in the nearly 21-month conflict between Israel and Hamas, including the release of hostages and negotiations to end the hostilities, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Hamas said on its official website that it had completed internal consultations and discussions with Palestinian factions and responded “in a positive spirit” to the mediators’ proposal. The group expressed seriousness about entering a new round of negotiations to establish the terms for implementing the ceasefire framework.

However, a Palestinian official allied with Hamas highlighted ongoing concerns over humanitarian aid delivery, access through the Rafah crossing to Egypt, and clarity on the timeline for Israeli troop withdrawals — issues that remain points of contention.

President Trump previously stated that Israel had agreed to the conditions necessary to finalise the truce and expressed hope for a swift resolution, emphasising the urgent need to secure the release of hostages.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, due to meet Trump in Washington shortly, has yet to comment on the proposal publicly. Netanyahu insists Hamas must be disarmed, a demand Hamas has refused to address, complicating peace prospects.

Israeli officials have reportedly received Hamas’ response and are reviewing it. Egyptian mediators, working alongside Qatar, have described the response as containing “positive signs” but noted outstanding demands that require further negotiation.

Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes continued, killing at least 138 Palestinians in Gaza over the past 24 hours, according to local health authorities. One airstrike hit a displaced persons’ camp near Khan Younis, killing 15. Israeli forces said they targeted militants and Hamas infrastructure during recent operations.

In Tel Aviv, families of hostages held in Gaza demonstrated outside the US Embassy on Independence Day, urging Trump to finalise a deal for their release. The proposal reportedly includes the release of ten hostages within 60 days and the return of the bodies of 18 others.

The prolonged conflict has caused devastating casualties, with more than 57,000 Palestinians killed, mostly civilians, and widespread displacement and hunger throughout Gaza.

By Aghakazim Guliyev