The terror group expressed openness to a cease-fire but several points of contention remained.
The Hamas terror group has announced it delivered a “positive” response to a U.S.-brokered cease-fire proposal for Gaza, fueling hopes for progress toward ending its deadly conflict with Israel.
“The Hamas movement has completed its internal consultations as well as discussions with Palestinian factions and forces regarding the latest proposal by the mediators to halt the aggression against our people in Gaza,” the group said in a statement.
“The movement has delivered its response to the brotherly mediators, which was characterized by a positive spirit,“ the statement added. ”Hamas is fully prepared, with all seriousness, to immediately enter a new round of negotiations on the mechanism for implementing this framework.”
However, a Palestinian official from a group allied with Hamas told Reuters that significant obstacles remain, including concerns over the flow of humanitarian aid, access through the Rafah crossing into Egypt, and a clear timetable for Israeli troop withdrawals.
Hamas’s statement comes after President Donald Trump announced on July 1 a “final proposal” for a 60-day cease-fire in the nearly 21-month war between Israel and Hamas, saying he expected swift responses from both sides. Trump has been pushing for a peace agreement to end the conflict.
“My Representatives had a long and productive meeting with the Israelis today on Gaza. Israel has agreed to the necessary conditions to finalize the 60 Day CEASEFIRE, during which time we will work with all parties to end the War,” Trump stated in a post on social media.
“The Qataris and Egyptians, who have worked very hard to help bring Peace, will deliver this final proposal. 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.”
By Tom Ozimek
