Hamas Ready for Ceasefire Talks with Israel, Trump Pushes for Resolution

Israel is considering its response after Hamas expressed readiness to begin talks 'immediately' on a US-brokered Gaza ceasefire proposal. The nation's security cabinet is set to convene after the Jewish Sabbath to discuss the next steps as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plans to travel to Washington for talks with US President Donald Trump. Trump has been pushing for an end to the 21-month war in Gaza. An Israeli government official stated that no decision has been made yet regarding Hamas's response to the ceasefire proposal.

Hamas announced its willingness to engage in negotiations on the terms of the US-backed truce proposal after consulting with other Palestinian factions. The Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) group also expressed support for ceasefire talks but demanded guarantees against Israeli aggression once hostages in Gaza are released. Trump mentioned that Israel has agreed to the necessary conditions for a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza.

Israel initiated its military campaign in Gaza following a terrorist attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in casualties and hostages. Previous ceasefires mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the US led to temporary halts in fighting and exchanges of hostages and prisoners.

On another note, the US-Israeli backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) reported that two American aid workers were injured in an attack at one of its aid centers in southern Gaza. The injured employees are in stable condition. The GHF began operations in Gaza after a halt in supplies by Israel, leading to concerns of famine. The foundation's operations have faced challenges, including reports of Israeli forces firing on people waiting for aid.