Hamas has announced that it is consulting with various Palestinian factions before officially responding to a new ceasefire proposal and hostage release plan put forth by the United States. The announcement comes as President Donald Trump expressed anticipation of receiving a decision from Hamas within the next 24 hours.
Earlier this week, Trump indicated that Israel had accepted the prerequisites for a 60-day ceasefire, during which negotiations would aim to end the ongoing 20-month conflict. Meanwhile, the Israeli military continues to carry out airstrikes across the Gaza Strip.
Casualties in Gaza raise concerns
Recent strikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 15 Palestinians, including 13-year-old Mayar al-Farr’s brother, Mahmoud, during attacks on two tents sheltering displaced individuals in the Khan Younis area. At her brother’s funeral, Mayar expressed her grief, saying,
“The ceasefire will come, and I have lost my brother? There should have been a ceasefire long ago before I lost my brother,”
reflecting the urgent plea for an end to the violence. Adlar Mouamar, another resident who lost his nephew, echoed this sentiment, stating,
“Our hearts are broken… We want them to end the bloodshed. We want them to stop this war.”
The Israeli military has not commented on the recent strikes but has stated that its operations are aimed at dismantling Hamas’s military capabilities.
Details of the proposed ceasefire
In a statement released early Friday, Hamas confirmed that it is in discussions with leaders from other Palestinian groups regarding the ceasefire proposal mediated by Qatar and Egypt. The organization plans to provide a “final decision” to the mediators after these consultations conclude.
The proposal reportedly suggests a phased release of 10 living Israeli hostages alongside the remains of 18 others, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners detained in Israeli jails. Currently, 50 hostages are still believed to be held in Gaza, with at least 20 thought to be alive.
One of Hamas’s primary conditions is the return of unrestricted humanitarian aid, including food and medical supplies, into Gaza. The proposal indicates that sufficient aid would be permitted to enter the territory immediately, with the assistance of the United Nations and the Red Cross. It is also believed that the plan would entail a gradual withdrawal of Israeli military forces from certain areas of Gaza. A critical demand from Hamas is assurance that Israeli air and ground operations will cease following the implementation of the ceasefire.
Furthermore, the proposal aims to initiate negotiations regarding a resolution to the conflict and the release of the remaining hostages from the very first day of the ceasefire.
Trump has stated that he anticipates learning whether Hamas will accept the proposals soon, with hopes for the revival of formal, indirect discussions ahead of a scheduled visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Washington next week.
In Tel Aviv, approximately 60 kilometers from Gaza, families of the remaining hostages and their supporters held a rally outside a US embassy branch, imploring Trump to facilitate a deal for their release. The gathering featured a large banner that read “liberty for all,” symbolizing their desperate plea for peace.
Among the speakers was Ruby Chen, whose son, Israeli-American soldier Itay Chen, was killed during a Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, which ignited this current conflict. Chen urged Prime Minister Netanyahu to secure a deal during his upcoming visit to the US, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive agreement between Israel and Hamas to bring all hostages home.
Another speaker, Keith Siegel, an Israeli American released during a previous ceasefire, stressed the importance of a detailed agreement for the safe return of those still captive.
As anxiety continues to mount among the families regarding the fate of the remaining hostages, many Israelis share a common concern about potential escalations should a ceasefire not materialize and military actions resume. Netanyahu recently reaffirmed his commitment to securing the release of all hostages, stating,
“I feel a deep commitment, first of all, to ensure the return of all of our hostages, all of them,”
while refraining from discussing the termination of the conflict until all hostages are freed and Hamas is significantly weakened.
Since the onset of the military campaign following the October 7 attack, the death toll in Gaza has reportedly exceeded 57,130, according to the territory’s health ministry, highlighting the urgent need for a resolution to the ongoing crisis.