Hamas Says Ready to Begin Gaza Ceasefire Talks ‘Immediately’

AFP/APP

Gaza : Hamas announced Friday it is prepared to begin ceasefire negotiations “immediately” based on a US-backed proposal, as Israel’s ongoing military offensive in Gaza reportedly killed more than 50 people in a single day.

The announcement came following internal consultations among Palestinian factions, and ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s upcoming visit to Washington on Monday, where President Donald Trump is pushing for an end to the war—now in its 21st month.

“The movement is ready to engage immediately and seriously in a cycle of negotiations on the mechanism to implement” the terms of the draft truce, Hamas said in a statement. The draft was shared by mediators, including Egypt, Qatar, and the United States.

Hamas ally Islamic Jihad also expressed support for talks but demanded firm guarantees that Israel will not resume military operations after any hostages are released.

21 Months of War and Devastation

The war erupted after Hamas’s unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which triggered a massive Israeli military campaign aimed at dismantling Hamas and securing the return of hostages taken during the attack.

Two earlier ceasefires brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S. brought brief pauses in fighting, allowing for limited hostage-prisoner exchanges.

Netanyahu, under increasing domestic pressure over the fate of Israeli captives, reiterated on Friday his commitment to their return.

“I feel a deep commitment, first and foremost, to ensure the return of all our abductees—all of them,” he said.

US President Donald Trump, meanwhile, called for an end to the violence, stating on Thursday, “They’ve gone through hell. I want safety for the people of Gaza.”

60-Day Ceasefire Proposal

A Palestinian source familiar with the negotiations told AFP that the latest draft includes a 60-day truce during which Hamas would release half of the estimated 22 surviving Israeli hostages in Gaza. In return, Israel would free a number of Palestinian prisoners.

Out of the 251 people abducted in the October attack, 49 remain in Gaza—27 of whom are believed to be dead, according to the Israeli military.

Nearly 21 months of conflict have devastated the Gaza Strip, home to over two million people, and created severe humanitarian conditions. The Israeli military has intensified operations in northern areas around Gaza City and southern cities including Khan Yunis and Rafah.

Dozens Killed Seeking Aid

Mohammad al-Mughayyir, a Gaza civil defence official, said at least 52 people were killed Friday in Israeli strikes and gunfire.

Among the dead, he said, were five Palestinians shot while waiting for aid near a U.S.-run site in Rafah, and others near the Wadi Gaza Bridge. AFP could not independently verify the toll due to restricted media access and dangerous conditions on the ground.

The Israeli military said it was reviewing reports of civilian casualties and requested specific coordinates for further investigation.

A 19-year-old Israeli sergeant was also killed during combat in southern Gaza, the military confirmed.

In Khan Yunis, mourners gathered at Nasser Hospital for the funeral of 16 people killed Thursday near an aid distribution center.

“I lost my brother at the American distribution centre that was supposed to feed people,” said mourner Narmin Abu Muammar. “They are killing people, not feeding them.”

Medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) confirmed that Abdullah Hammad, a former staff member, was among those killed. MSF said he was the 12th staff member lost in the war, demanding an immediate end to the bloodshed.

The US- and Israeli-run Gaza Humanitarian Foundation denied involvement in the reported deadly incidents near its aid sites.

Displaced Civilians Also Targeted

Mughayyir added that eight people, including a child, were killed in an Israeli airstrike on tents sheltering displaced civilians near Khan Yunis. Another eight, including two children, were killed in separate strikes on coastal camps.

The Israeli military said its operations aim to “dismantle Hamas military capabilities” across the Gaza Strip.

The October 2023 Hamas attack resulted in 1,219 deaths in Israel, mostly civilians, according to official figures compiled by AFP. Since then, Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed at least 57,268 people in Gaza, also mostly civilians, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory. The United Nations considers these figures credible.