**Hamas Accepts US Ceasefire Proposal, But Requests Amendments**
In a major development in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, the Palestinian armed group has given a “positive” response to mediators regarding the latest proposal by the US for a new Gaza ceasefire deal and hostage release. According to a statement from Hamas, they are “seriously prepared to enter into a round immediately of negotiations”.
The proposal, which was made by the US, includes a 60-day ceasefire during which both parties would work towards ending the war. However, Hamas has requested several important amendments, including a US guarantee to not resume hostilities if talks about a permanent end of the 20-month conflict failed.
Israel and the US have been unwilling to accept similar requests in the past. The US President, Donald Trump, has stated that Israel accepted the “necessary” conditions for a ceasefire, but Hamas has yet to receive an official response from Israel.
**Hamas Demands Guarantees and Aid Distribution**
The senior Palestinian official familiarized with the talks told the BBC that Hamas had accepted the general framework of the proposal, but had requested several important amendments. These included a US guarantee to not resume hostilities if talks about a permanent end of the 20-month conflict failed.
Hamas is also demanding that the UN and International Committee of the Red Cross be involved in bringing sufficient humanitarian aid into Gaza immediately. The group wants the aid to be exclusively distributed by the UN and partners, and for the controversial system of distribution run by Israel- and US-supported Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) to end immediately.
According to a Palestinian official, Hamas also demanded that Israel withdraw its troops. The US proposal may include a phased withdrawal from parts of northern Gaza and southern Gaza, but Hamas insists that troops return to the positions held before the last truce collapsed in March when Israel resumed their offensive against the group.
**Families of Hostages Call for Trump to “Make a Deal”**
The families of the remaining hostages, along with their supporters, have been holding rallies in Israel calling on Trump to “make a deal” which would lead to the release of all the hostages. On the nearby beachfront, they placed a giant banner with the US flag and “liberty for everyone”.
Ruby Chen, father of Israeli-American Itay Chen, who was killed in the Hamas-led assault on southern Israel which triggered the conflict, urged Trump to make an agreement that would allow all hostages to return home.
**Concerns Over Fate of Remaining Hostages**
Most Israelis are concerned about the fate of the remaining hosts and what could happen to them in the event that the ceasefire is not achieved and Netanyahu orders Israel’s military to intensify its airstrikes on Gaza. The prime minister has made a promise to release all remaining hostages, but many are skeptical.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas has been ongoing since 7 October 2023, when approximately 1,200 people died and 251 were taken hostage in an attack on Kibbutz Nir Oz. According to the health ministry of Gaza, at least 57,268 people have died in Gaza since then.
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