CAIRO (AP) — In a significant development, Hamas indicated on Wednesday its openness to a ceasefire agreement with Israel. However, the group stopped short of accepting a U.S.-backed proposal announced by President Donald Trump, maintaining its longstanding demand that any deal must bring an end to the ongoing war in Gaza.
President Trump revealed on Tuesday that Israel had agreed to a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza and urged Hamas to accept the deal to prevent further escalation. The U.S. has been actively pressing both the Israeli government and Hamas to negotiate a ceasefire and hostage agreement to end the conflict. Trump suggested that the 60-day period could be used to work towards a permanent resolution, a condition Israel has rejected until Hamas is defeated.
Despite the proposal, Hamas’ insistence on ending the war raised doubts about the feasibility of the ceasefire. Hamas official Taher al-Nunu stated that the group was “ready and serious regarding reaching an agreement” and would accept any initiative that leads to the complete cessation of hostilities.
Ceasefire Talks and Sticking Points
A Hamas delegation is expected to meet with Egyptian and Qatari mediators in Cairo to discuss the proposal, according to an Egyptian official who requested anonymity. The ongoing conflict, now in its 21st month, has seen numerous ceasefire talks falter over disagreements on how the war should end.
Hamas has offered to release the remaining 50 hostages, less than half of whom are believed to be alive, in exchange for a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and an end to the war. Conversely, Israel demands that Hamas surrender, disarm, and exile itself, conditions the group refuses to meet.
Details of the Proposed Ceasefire
An Israeli official, speaking anonymously, disclosed that the latest proposal includes a 60-day ceasefire with a partial Israeli withdrawal and increased humanitarian aid to Gaza. The mediators and the U.S. would provide assurances for talks on ending the war, but Israel has not committed to this as part of the current proposal.
The specifics of hostage releases remain unclear, though previous proposals suggested the release of about 10 hostages. Israel has yet to publicly respond to Trump’s announcement, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with Trump at the White House next week.
U.S. Pressure and Regional Implications
On Tuesday, Trump reiterated on social media that Israel had agreed to the ceasefire conditions, urging Hamas to accept the deal to avoid worsening conditions. Trump’s warnings have often been met with skepticism by Hamas, which has previously resisted pressure for longer ceasefires.
“I hope, for the good of the Middle East, that Hamas takes this Deal, because it will not get better — IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE,” Trump stated.
The President views the current situation as a potential turning point in a conflict that has claimed over 56,000 lives in the Palestinian territory. The Gaza Health Ministry reports that more than half of the casualties are women and children, though it does not distinguish between civilians and combatants.
The Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
The war, which began on October 7, 2023, following a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, has devastated Gaza. The attack resulted in 1,200 Israeli deaths and approximately 250 hostages taken. The ongoing conflict has left Gaza in ruins, with much of its urban landscape destroyed. Over 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents have been displaced, many multiple times, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis and pushing hundreds of thousands towards hunger.
As the international community watches closely, the upcoming talks in Cairo could be pivotal in shaping the future of the region. Whether this latest proposal can bring about a lasting peace remains uncertain, but the stakes for both sides—and for the civilians caught in the crossfire—could not be higher.
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Mroue reported from Beirut. Associated Press writer Josef Federman contributed from Jerusalem.
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