The militant group Hamas announced on Friday that it had delivered a response to the latest U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal for Gaza “in a positive spirit,” signaling potential progress toward a truce in the nearly 21-month-long conflict with Israel.
The proposal, described by U.S. President Donald Trump as a “final offer,” calls for a 60-day ceasefire, the release of hostages, and the start of negotiations aimed at ending the war. Hamas confirmed it had completed internal consultations and discussions with other Palestinian factions and formally responded to the mediators.
“The Hamas movement has completed its internal consultations… and delivered its response to the brotherly mediators, which was characterized by a positive spirit,” the group said in a statement on its official website.
“Hamas is fully prepared, with all seriousness, to immediately enter a new round of negotiations on the mechanism for implementing this framework.”
Concerns Still Remain:
Despite the forward momentum, officials within militant factions allied with Hamas noted several unresolved concerns. These include issues related to humanitarian aid, access through the Rafah border crossing into Egypt, and clarity on a timeline for Israeli military withdrawal.
President Trump, speaking earlier this week, said Israel had already agreed to “the necessary conditions” required to finalize the ceasefire plan. He also emphasized his expectation that both parties would reach an agreement within days.
“We hope it’s going to happen. And we’re looking forward to it happening sometime next week,” Trump told reporters. “We want to get the hostages out.”
Netanyahu Yet to Publicly Respond:
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is scheduled to meet with Trump in Washington on Monday, has not yet issued an official response to the U.S. proposal. In previous statements, Netanyahu has maintained a firm stance that Hamas must be fully disarmed, a condition Hamas has repeatedly rejected.
According to Israeli media, government officials have confirmed receipt of Hamas’ response and are currently reviewing it. An Egyptian security official involved in the mediation, along with Qatar, said Hamas’ response contained “positive signs,” although it also included some demands that still need further negotiation.
Violence Continues as Talks Progress:
While negotiations inch forward, the conflict on the ground rages on. Over the past 24 hours, Israeli airstrikes have reportedly killed at least 138 Palestinians, according to local health authorities in Gaza.
One of the strikes hit a tent encampment west of Khan Younis around 2 a.m., killing 15 displaced Palestinians, Nasser Hospital officials reported.
The Israeli military claimed its operations in Khan Younis over the past day had eliminated militants, seized weapons, and destroyed Hamas infrastructure. The military also reported that it had struck 100 targets across the Gaza Strip, including rocket launchers and weapons depots.
In southern Gaza, families gathered to bury their loved ones, with young children among the mourners.
“There should have been a ceasefire long ago before I lost my brother,” said 13-year-old Mayar Al Farr, sobbing at her brother Mahmoud’s funeral.
“He went to get aid, just to bring home a bag of flour so we could eat. A bullet hit him in the neck.”
U.S. Families Demand Swift Deal:
In Tel Aviv, relatives of Israeli hostages held in Gaza held a demonstration outside the U.S. Embassy, marking U.S. Independence Day by calling on Trump to push through a ceasefire agreement.
Demonstrators placed 50 empty chairs at a symbolic Sabbath dinner table—each representing a hostage still believed to be alive. Banners displayed Trump’s recent post on Truth Social:
“MAKE THE DEAL IN GAZA. GET THE HOSTAGES BACK!!!”
“Only you can make the deal. We want one beautiful deal. One beautiful hostage deal,” said Gideon Rosenberg, 48, who wore a shirt featuring Avinatan Or, one of his employees kidnapped from the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023.
Or is believed to be among 20 living hostages held in Gaza for over 600 days.
According to a source familiar with the negotiations, the current proposal would secure the release of 10 living hostages during the 60-day truce, along with the return of 18 bodies of captives believed to have died in custody.
Ruby Chen, father of 19-year-old American-Israeli Itay Chen, who was also a German citizen and is believed to have been killed while in captivity, urged Netanyahu to come back from Washington with a deal that brings all the hostage’s home.
Background: The War’s Toll:
The conflict began when Hamas launched a surprise attack on October 7, 2023, killing approximately 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and taking 251 hostages. Israel responded with an all-out military campaign to dismantle Hamas, a group that has governed Gaza for nearly two decades but now controls only portions of the territory.
The humanitarian impact has been staggering. Gaza’s 2 million residents have suffered mass displacement, widespread hunger, and extensive infrastructure damage. According to local health officials, more than 57,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have been killed in the ongoing violence.
Desert Feed will continue to monitor the ceasefire talks, regional developments, and humanitarian updates from Gaza.
