Hamas Refuses To Accept Trump's Proposal But Open To Ceasefire Agreement With Israel

Hamas on Wednesday stated that it was open to a ceasefire agreement with Israel, but did not agree to accept the US-backed proposal announced by President Donald Trump hours earlier and asserted that they will agree to any deal that stops the war in Gaza.

Trump had announced on Tuesday that Israel agreed on terms for a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza and urged Hamas to accept the deal before conditions worsen. The US leader has been increasing pressure on the Israeli government and Hamas to broker a ceasefire, and hostage agreement and bring about an end to the war.

Trump said the 60-day period would be used to work toward ending the war — something Israel says it won't accept until Hamas is defeated. He said that a deal might come together as soon as next week.

What Is Hamas Saying?

In response to Trump's proposal, Hamas emphasized its demand that the war end, raised questions about whether the latest offer could lead to an actual pause in fighting.

Hamas official Taher al-Nunu said that the militant group was "ready and serious regarding reaching an agreement."

He said Hamas was "ready to accept any initiative that clearly leads to the complete end to the war."

A Hamas delegation is expected to meet with Egyptian and Qatari mediators in Cairo on Wednesday to discuss the proposal, according to Associated Press.

Throughout the nearly 21-month-long war, ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas have repeatedly paused.

Hamas has said that it's willing to free the remaining 50 hostages, less than half of whom are said to be alive, in exchange for a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and an end to the war.

Also Read | Trump Says Israel Has Agreed To Finalise 60-Day Ceasefire

What Is Israel Saying?

Israel said that it will only agree to end the war if Hamas surrenders, disarms and exiles itself which the group refuses to do.

An Israeli official told the AP that the latest proposal calls for a 60-day deal that would include a partial Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a surge in humanitarian aid to the territory.

The mediators and the US would provide assurances about talks to end the war, but Israel isn't committing to that as part of the latest proposal, reportedly.

It wasn't clear how many hostages would be freed as part of the agreement, but previous proposals have called for the release of about 10.

Israel has yet to publicly comment on Trump's announcement. On Monday, Trump is set to host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, days after Ron Dermer, a senior Netanyahu adviser, held discussions with top US officials about Gaza, Iran and other matters.

Trump issues another warning

On Tuesday, Trump wrote on social media that Israel had "agreed to the necessary conditions to finalize the 60 Day CEASEFIRE, during which time we will work with all parties to end the War."

"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 said.

Trump has repeatedly issued similar ultimatums to pressure the two sides to agree to longer pauses in the fighting that would lead to release of more hostages and a return of more aid for Gaza's civilians.

Also Read | UN Report Links Companies To Israel’s Actions In Palestinian Territory

Situation In Gaza So Far

Since dawn Wednesday, Israeli strikes killed a total of 40 people across the Gaza Strip, the Health Ministry said. Hospital officials said four children and seven women were among the dead.

The war began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking roughly 250 hostages.

The war has left the coastal Palestinian territory in ruins, with much of the urban landscape flattened in the fighting.

More than 90 per cent of Gaza's 2.3 million population has been displaced, often multiple times. And the war has sparked a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, pushing hundreds of thousands of people toward hunger.

(With AP inputs)