Hamas has indicated that it is considering what US President Donald Trump has referred to as a “final” ceasefire proposal for Gaza, while asserting that any agreement must entail a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the region.
In a Wednesday statement, the Palestinian group mentioned that it is “examining” the new proposals put forth by mediators from Egypt and Qatar. However, it stressed that any deal must “ensure an end to the conflict and an Israeli exit from Gaza.”
This announcement follows President Trump’s assertion on Tuesday that Israel had accepted the necessary terms for a 60-day ceasefire, following a “long and productive” meeting between US representatives and Israeli officials.
In his first public remarks since Trump’s statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his government’s firm stance, declaring that the eradication of Hamas is non-negotiable.
“There will not be a Hamas. There will not be a Hamastan. We’re not going back to that. It’s over,” Netanyahu affirmed during an event held by the Trans-Israel pipeline.
Despite the entrenched positions, Trump’s announcement has sparked cautious optimism among some Palestinians in Gaza. Kamal, a resident of Gaza City, expressed hope to reporters over the phone, saying, “I hope it would work this time, even if for two months, it would save thousands of innocent lives.”
Others, however, expressed scepticism. Adnan Al-Assar, speaking from Khan Younis in southern Gaza, remarked, “We hope he is serious like he was serious during the Israeli-Iranian war when he said the war should stop, and it stopped.”
The nearly two-year-long conflict has inflicted significant damage on Gaza and has led to increasing domestic pressure on Netanyahu to secure a lasting ceasefire—an idea fiercely opposed by hardliners within his right-wing coalition.
Meanwhile, a recently brokered truce between Israel and Iran, following last month’s 12-day flare-up, coupled with strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, has increased pressure on Hamas—backed by Tehran.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar suggested that a majority within the coalition would support a deal that secured the release of the remaining hostages held by Hamas.
“If there is an opportunity to do so – we must not miss it!” Saar shared on X. Of the 50 hostages believed to be in Gaza, around 20 are thought to be alive.
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid also offered political support for any agreement, stating that his party could provide a parliamentary “safety net” if Netanyahu’s cabinet encounters internal dissent.
Lapid’s assurance not to support a no-confidence vote could help maintain Netanyahu’s coalition in the event of backlash from far-right members opposed to a ceasefire.
Discussion about this post