Palestinian group Hamas says it has given a “optimistic” response to a United States-brokered proposal for a Gaza ceasefire, elevating hopes of a potential breakthrough in halting Israel’s lethal offensive.
US President Donald Trump earlier introduced a “remaining proposal” for a 60-day truce within the practically 21-month-old struggle, stating he anticipated a reply from the events within the coming hours.
Hamas mentioned late on Friday that the group had submitted its reply to Qatar and Egypt, who’re mediating the talks.
“The motion [Hamas] has delivered its response to the brotherly mediators, which was characterised by a optimistic spirit. Hamas is totally ready, with all seriousness, to right away enter a brand new spherical of negotiations on the mechanism for implementing this framework,” an announcement by the group mentioned.
Trump mentioned earlier this week that Israel had accepted the primary situations of a proposed 60-day truce, throughout which era negotiations would intention to completely finish the struggle. However Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has but to publicly endorse the plan.
Netanyahu, who is needed by the Worldwide Felony Courtroom (ICC) over alleged struggle crimes in Gaza, is anticipated to satisfy Trump in Washington on Monday.
Particulars from the proposed deal
In keeping with a translated copy of the framework shared with Al Jazeera, the deal would come with a 60-day truce, assured by Trump, with a phased launch of Israeli captives and elevated humanitarian help.
The proposed alternate contains the discharge of 10 dwelling and 18 deceased Israeli captives from the “Record of 58”. Releases would happen on days one, seven, 30, 50, and 60 – starting with eight stay captives on the primary day.
Beneath the plan, help would circulate into Gaza instantly following Hamas’s approval, in portions akin to the January 2025 settlement. Distribution can be dealt with by companies together with the United Nations and the Palestine Crimson Crescent Society.
As a part of the proposed Gaza ceasefire framework, all Israeli army operations would cease as soon as the settlement takes impact, Al Jazeera has discovered.
The deal features a pause in army and surveillance flights over Gaza for 10 hours every day – or 12 hours on days when captives and prisoners are exchanged.
Negotiations for a everlasting ceasefire would start on day one underneath the supervision of mediators. Talks would cowl a full alternate of captives for Palestinian prisoners, Israeli troop withdrawal, future safety preparations, and “day-after” plans for Gaza.
‘A lot-awaited response’
Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud, reporting from Gaza Metropolis, mentioned the Hamas response was “much-awaited, much-anticipated”, with anxious besieged Palestinians asking when it will come.
“We don’t know whether or not this response … goes to carry an finish to the continued killings … or the presence of the [Israeli] drones,” he mentioned.
Heavy shelling and gunfire proceed close to meals distribution factors, and uncertainty stays over whether or not critical negotiations will result in aid.
“None of that is clear proper now,” Mahmoud added, “however at the least it’s a primary step.”
Trump, talking early on Friday, mentioned he anticipated readability from Hamas “over the following 24 hours”.
He added, “We hope it’s going to occur. And we’re wanting ahead to it taking place someday subsequent week. We need to get the hostages out.”
Israel pushing for aspect take care of Trump
Regardless of Hamas’s endorsement, the group has reportedly sought ensures that the proposed truce would result in a everlasting finish to Israel’s struggle and stop Tel Aviv from resuming assaults at will.
In keeping with two Israeli officers quoted by the Reuters information company, particulars of the proposal are nonetheless underneath negotiation. In the meantime, Israel is alleged to be urgent Trump for written assurances that it might probably resume operations if its key calls for – Hamas disarmament and the exile of its management – are usually not met.
Israeli broadcaster Channel 14, citing a senior political supply, reported earlier this week that the deal features a aspect letter from Trump granting Israel the authority to “renew the fireplace” ought to Hamas fail to conform. The doc would enable Israel to find out whether or not the phrases had been fulfilled.
Netanyahu has repeatedly insisted that any Palestinian resistance teams in Gaza should be dismantled as a precondition for peace – a problem that continues to be a serious sticking level.
A earlier two-month truce ended when Israeli strikes killed greater than 400 Palestinians on March 18 and led to what UN Secretary-Common Antonio Guterres has referred to as “the cruellest part of a merciless struggle”. Greater than 6,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel broke the truce.
Total, Israeli forces have killed at the least 57,268 Palestinians and wounded greater than 130,000 since October 7, 2023.
