Hamas responds "positively" to Trump's proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza

BeirutHamas has accepted in principle the ceasefire proposal in Gaza announced by US President Donald Trump, who threatened the organization with an "even worse" situation if it did not accept it. According to initial details, the organization that controls the Gaza Strip considers the proposal "positive" and would be willing to accept a halt to hostilities with Israel for 60 days. In exchange, it would hand over the last hostages it is holding, either alive or dead, in a process that would involve several phases. "We have submitted our response to the ceasefire proposal to the mediators, Qatar and Egypt," a Hamas official told Reuters. "Hamas's response is positive, and I think it should help and facilitate the achievement of an agreement," he added. However, Hamas insists that further negotiations are needed before reaching an agreement.

The announcement that Hamas would welcome Trump's proposal comes as Israeli attacks on Gaza have intensified ahead of next week's meeting in Washington between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump. The last 24 hours, At least 138 Palestinians have been killed, according to hospital data compiled by the Gaza Ministry of Health. According to the same source, at least 62 people died while trying to access humanitarian aid. In total, in the week prior to Netanyahu's trip, it is estimated that more than 300 Palestinians have lost their lives, including women, children, and medical personnel.

One of the most serious losses has been that of the director of the Indonesian hospital in Gaza City, Marwan al-Sultan, who died along with his family after a direct attack on his home. The intensity of the bombing has caused the collapse of the healthcare system in the north of the enclave, where medical centers such as Jabalia and Al Ahli Hospital have been forced to limit operations or evacuate under Israeli fire.

The new military escalation coincides with the publication of a devastating report by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, which documents at least 613 Palestinians killed between May 27 and June 27 at aid distribution points or near humanitarian convoysMost died in stampedes triggered by gunfire, airstrikes, or chaos in delivery lines. According to witnesses and medical personnel, many of the deaths occurred after warning shots fired by Israeli forces, which ultimately caused panic among the crowd. In other cases, direct fire was used. Images of bodies stretched out next to sacks of flour or bottles of water have generated strong international condemnation.

The Israeli government has categorically denied receiving orders to fire on civilians seeking food or assistance, calling the allegations part of a "disinformation campaign." Netanyahu claimed that the Israel Defense Forces are acting with "maximum restraint" and that any incidents are being investigated. However, witnesses on the ground contradict this account. The number of deaths in humanitarian aid lines mounts daily, while the current mechanism, run by the Gaza Humanitarian Fund with support from the United States and Israel, continues to operate without independent oversight and under extremely volatile conditions.

Waiting for a ceasefire

Adding to the devastation on the ground is the diplomatic standoff. An Israeli delegation led by Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer is negotiating in Washington the proposed 60-day temporary ceasefire, pushed by the White House. The plan includes an exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, a partial withdrawal of the Israeli army from northern Gaza, and expanded humanitarian access. Representatives from Egypt and Qatar are also participating in the talks with Hamas. President Trump declared that Israel has accepted the general terms of the agreement and that the coming hours will be crucial to moving toward a "real de-escalation." However, Hamas's acceptance of the plan cannot hide the fact that In the Israeli cabinet, divisions are deepMinisters from the ultranationalist wing, such as Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir, reject any ceasefire without a complete military victory and have threatened to leave the coalition if the offensive is suspended. Netanyahu, pressured by the political calendar and the military front, seems determined to arrive at the meeting with Trump with a consolidated force, which would explain the intensity of this week's attacks.

But this pursuit of political gain is causing a humanitarian catastrophe. More than 80% of Gaza is under military control or forced evacuation. Hospitals have collapsed, neighborhoods have been reduced to rubble, and hundreds of thousands of displaced people are crowded into makeshift shelters without water, electricity, or food. The UN has warned that the current aid system is "broken" and that the continued attacks on aid points turn every distribution attempt into a death trap.

In this context, the meeting between Netanyahu and Trump will be decisive. If a truce agreement is reached, it could open the door to a more lasting ceasefire. But the question remains as to whether the Israeli government is willing to pay the internal political price. Meanwhile, the civilian population in Gaza remains trapped between the crossfire, diplomatic promises, and humanitarian aid that, far from providing relief, has become another source of danger.