Hamas Ready to Engage in Gaza Ceasefire Talks Immediately

The Palestinian militant group Hamas has expressed its readiness to engage in ceasefire talks with Israel, signaling a potential breakthrough in the ongoing conflict.

According to a statement released by Hamas, the group is willing to participate in negotiations “immediately” to discuss the terms of a draft US-backed truce proposal. This development comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepares to visit Washington, where President Donald Trump is pushing for an end to the 21-month war.

Hamas’s decision to engage in talks is seen as a positive step towards resolving the conflict, which has resulted in significant humanitarian suffering for the people of Gaza. The militant group has been consulting with other Palestinian factions and has given a “positive response” to a truce proposal from US special envoy Steve Witkoff. However, Hamas has demanded guarantees that Israel will not resume its aggression once hostages held in Gaza are freed.

Hamas’s ally, Islamic Jihad, has also expressed support for ceasefire talks but has demanded “guarantees” that Israel will not resume its aggression. Trump, when asked about Hamas’s response, said, “That’s good. They haven’t briefed me on it. We have to get it over with. We have to do something about Gaza.” The conflict in Gaza began with Hamas’s October 2023 attack, which sparked a massive Israeli offensive aimed at destroying Hamas and bringing home all the hostages seized by Palestinian militants.

The latest proposal includes a 60-day truce, during which Hamas would release half of the living Israeli captives in the Gaza Strip in exchange for Israel releasing a number of Palestinian prisoners and detainees. However, the primary point of contention remains Israel’s rejection of Hamas’s demand for guarantees that any new ceasefire will be lasting.

The conflict has created dire humanitarian conditions for the more than two million people in the Gaza Strip, where Israel has recently expanded its military operations. Civil defense spokesman Mahmud Bassal said Israeli military operations killed 20 people across the war-battered territory on Saturday, including five in a strike on a school in Gaza City. The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains a pressing concern, with many Gazans seeking shelter in schools and other public buildings since the war began.

The international community continues to call for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, and the readiness of Hamas to engage in ceasefire talks is seen as a crucial step towards achieving this goal. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether the parties can reach a lasting agreement that addresses the concerns of all parties involved.