Hamas Open to Ceasefire with Israel Amid Demands for War's End in Gaza

CAIRO (AP) — In a significant development, Hamas indicated on Wednesday its openness to a ceasefire agreement with Israel. However, the militant group stopped short of accepting a U.S.-backed proposal unveiled by U.S. President Donald Trump earlier in the day, maintaining its position that any agreement must lead to a complete end to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

President Trump announced on Tuesday that Israel had agreed to a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza and urged Hamas to accept the deal to prevent further escalation. The U.S. administration has been ramping up efforts to mediate a ceasefire, secure a hostage agreement, and ultimately bring the war to a close. Trump expressed optimism that a deal could be reached as early as next week, but Hamas’s insistence on ending the war entirely has cast doubt on the feasibility of the proposed pause in hostilities.

Hamas’s Stance and International Mediation Efforts

Hamas official Taher al-Nunu stated that the group is “ready and serious regarding reaching an agreement” and is willing to consider any initiative that leads to the complete cessation of the war. A Hamas delegation is scheduled to meet with Egyptian and Qatari mediators in Cairo to discuss the proposal, according to an Egyptian official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The conflict, which has persisted for nearly 21 months, has seen repeated failures in ceasefire negotiations, primarily due to disagreements over the war’s conclusion. Hamas has proposed releasing the remaining hostages, fewer than half of whom are believed to be alive, in exchange for a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and an end to the conflict.

Israel’s Conditions and U.S. Involvement

Israel, on the other hand, maintains that it will only agree to end the war if Hamas surrenders, disarms, and exiles itself — terms that Hamas has consistently rejected. An Israeli official disclosed that the latest proposal includes a 60-day ceasefire with a partial Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and increased humanitarian aid to the region. The U.S. and mediators would provide assurances for discussions on ending the war, but Israel has not committed to this as part of the current proposal.

Details regarding the number of hostages to be released remain unclear, though previous proposals have suggested the release of approximately ten individuals. Israel has yet to publicly comment on Trump’s announcement.

Political Reactions and Future Prospects

President Trump is set to host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Monday, following discussions between Netanyahu’s senior adviser Ron Dermer and top U.S. officials about Gaza, Iran, and other regional issues. On social media, Trump asserted that Israel had “agreed to the necessary conditions to finalize the 60 Day CEASEFIRE,” emphasizing the urgency for Hamas to accept the deal to avoid worsening conditions.

Despite Trump’s warnings, skepticism persists within Hamas, which has previously resisted ultimatums aimed at extending ceasefires and facilitating the release of hostages and humanitarian aid to Gaza’s civilian population. Nonetheless, Trump perceives the current situation as a potential turning point in the conflict, which has claimed over 56,000 lives in the Palestinian territory.

“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,” Trump stated.

The Humanitarian Impact and Historical Context

The war, which began on October 7, 2023, following a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, has devastated Gaza, leaving much of its urban landscape in ruins. The conflict has displaced over 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, many of whom have been forced to relocate multiple times. The humanitarian crisis has escalated, with hundreds of thousands facing hunger.

The Gaza Health Ministry reports that more than half of the 56,000 fatalities are women and children, though it does not differentiate between civilian and combatant casualties. The conflict’s origins trace back to the October 7 attack, which resulted in 1,200 Israeli deaths and the capture of approximately 250 hostages.

As diplomatic efforts continue, the international community watches closely, hoping for a resolution that will bring lasting peace to a region long plagued by conflict.

Bassem Mroue reported from Beirut. Josef Federman contributed to this report from Jerusalem. Follow the AP’s war coverage at AP News.