Hamas Signals Positive Move Toward Gaza Ceasefire as Talks Gain Momentum
After months of deadlock and intense conflict, Hamas announced on Friday that it has “submitted a positive response” to a new ceasefire proposal aimed at halting the violence in Gaza for 60 days. This could be a major step toward peace, following a series of failed efforts to bring the two sides together.
The announcement came through a statement from Hamas, confirming that they are “fully prepared to immediately enter into a round of negotiations regarding the mechanism for implementing this framework.” This means that the groundwork is now laid for the final stages of negotiations, which could bring a much-needed pause to the ongoing conflict.
What’s on the Table?
Here’s the breakdown of the deal being discussed: The ceasefire proposal calls for the release of some hostages currently held in Gaza. Out of the approximately 50 Israeli hostages still in Hamas’s custody, the plan calls for releasing 10 living hostages and 18 deceased individuals during the ceasefire period.
On day one of the truce, Hamas would release eight living hostages in exchange for an undisclosed number of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Following that exchange, Israel would begin withdrawing from parts of northern Gaza. Both sides would then start talks aimed at securing a permanent ceasefire beyond the initial 60 days.
Importantly, the proposal specifies that the hostage releases should be conducted quietly—no ceremonies or public fanfare. The remaining hostages would be released on four additional dates laid out in the plan.
A Glimmer of Hope Amid Continued Violence
The timing of this announcement is critical. Even as negotiators work toward a ceasefire, Israeli airstrikes on Gaza have continued to intensify, causing devastating loss of life. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, more than 57,000 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict began.
This grim reality highlights just how urgent it is for a ceasefire to take hold. Despite this, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had long refused to agree to any ceasefire that did not include the complete defeat of Hamas — aiming to dismantle the group's military capabilities and political control in Gaza.
Signs of Change from Netanyahu
However, there’s been a notable shift in tone recently. After the recent 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran, Netanyahu appeared more open to compromise. On Sunday, he said “many opportunities have opened up,” including the chance to bring home the hostages held by Hamas.
This was the first time in months that Netanyahu seemed to prioritize hostage recovery over outright military victory against Hamas, signaling a possible new chapter in the conflict.
Netanyahu is expected to meet with US President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday, just days after convening his full cabinet to discuss the ceasefire proposal. While some members of Israel’s far-right government have vowed to block any deal, several other political factions have expressed strong support for a ceasefire.
The Role of the United States and Qatar
The ceasefire proposal has strong backing from the US and Qatar. The Trump administration, particularly through special envoy Steve Witkoff, has been actively involved behind the scenes to push the two sides toward an agreement.
Qatar submitted the latest 60-day ceasefire proposal this week, emphasizing stronger US commitments to keeping Israel engaged at the negotiation table. This includes assurances that the truce could be extended or lead to a permanent deal, addressing one of Hamas’s main demands—guarantees that the conflict won’t just restart once the ceasefire expires.
In addition, the proposal calls for a significant increase in humanitarian aid flowing into Gaza through established channels, moving away from the controversial Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. This aims to provide urgent relief to the beleaguered civilian population.
Hamas’s Response and Internal Deliberations
Hamas is currently holding “national consultations” about the deal, aiming to reach an agreement that guarantees an end to aggression, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, and immediate humanitarian relief for Gaza residents.
Bishara Bahbah, a Palestinian-American intermediary who has been directly engaged with Hamas, praised the group’s positive response on social media. He said the group had proposed some “amendments it deemed necessary,” but he remained optimistic these changes wouldn’t block progress.
“We are now much closer to ending this cursed war,” Bahbah said on Facebook. “In my view, these amendments will not prevent reaching a ceasefire agreement within the coming week, God willing.”
Israeli Perspective and Negotiation Dynamics
From the Israeli side, officials have indicated they anticipated Hamas’s positive response, expecting only minor rewording of certain points. According to an Israeli source familiar with the matter, these changes are not seen as deal-breakers.
The next phase will likely involve “proximity talks” — where negotiators from both sides are in the same location but exchange messages indirectly, aiming to hammer out the final details. These discussions can either drag on for days or move quickly, depending on how willing each side is to compromise.
One of the biggest sticking points remains the timing and manner of Israel’s withdrawal from parts of Gaza during the ceasefire. Resolving this will be key to finalizing the deal.
Hostages at the Center of the Deal
The hostage situation is central to this negotiation. Hamas has agreed to release a significant portion of the hostages during the ceasefire, starting with eight living captives in exchange for Palestinian detainees held by Israel.
The proposal also calls for releasing 18 deceased hostages, an effort likely aimed at providing closure to grieving families. The release schedule for the rest is spread over several phases, which could build trust between the two sides.
This element of the deal could prove critical to winning broader Israeli public support, which has been deeply concerned about the fate of the hostages throughout this conflict.
Trump’s Role and Public Messaging
US President Donald Trump has been a vocal advocate for the ceasefire deal, emphasizing Israel’s agreement to the “necessary conditions” and calling on Hamas to accept the proposal as well.
In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump warned Hamas: “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.” He also expressed gratitude to Qatar and Egypt for their diplomatic efforts.
Trump’s involvement and public push have added a layer of urgency and political pressure on both parties to move forward.
The Bigger Picture: Fragile Peace and Uncertain Future
While this development offers a hopeful path forward, the reality on the ground remains deeply challenging. The long-standing hostilities, mutual distrust, and political complexities on both sides make any ceasefire a fragile achievement.
Still, if successful, the deal could bring an unprecedented 60-day pause in fighting, provide critical humanitarian relief, and pave the way for negotiations aimed at a permanent peace agreement.
In the coming days and weeks, all eyes will be on the negotiations as the region hopes for a chance to turn the page on this brutal conflict.
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