Hamas Expresses Readiness for Ceasefire Talks
Hamas has publicly stated its willingness to engage in immediate discussions concerning a proposed ceasefire in Gaza. This announcement was made shortly after reports surfaced from the civil defense agency indicating that Israel’s ongoing military operations resulted in the deaths of 20 individuals on Saturday. The timing of this statement follows consultations with various Palestinian factions and precedes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s anticipated trip to Washington on Monday, where discussions with President Donald Trump are expected to focus on bringing an end to the lengthy conflict, which has now spanned 21 months.
In its official statement, Hamas declared that the movement is ready to participate “immediately and seriously” in negotiations to establish a framework for a ceasefire. The draft proposal is reportedly supported by the United States and was delivered through mediators. Meanwhile, Islamic Jihad, a key ally of Hamas, has expressed its backing for the ceasefire negotiations but is demanding “guarantees” to ensure that Israel will not resume its military offensives once hostages held in Gaza are released.
The Background of Ongoing Conflict
The conflict escalated dramatically following Hamas’s assault on Israel in October 2023, which subsequently provoked a major military response from Israel aimed at dismantling Hamas and securing the release of hostages taken during the attack. Amid rising domestic pressure, Prime Minister Netanyahu has reiterated his commitment to reclaiming the hostages. Previous ceasefire attempts, brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, provided only temporary halts in the fighting and involved exchanges of hostages for Palestinian detainees.
Negotiations for a lasting ceasefire have faced significant hurdles, largely due to Israel’s unwillingness to provide the assurances that Hamas is seeking for a stable agreement. The last round of negotiations fell apart in May, with both Hamas and Israel blaming each other for the failure. In a hopeful turn, a Palestinian source indicated that Hamas responded positively to a ceasefire proposal from U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, which included a potential 60-day ceasefire where Hamas would release half of the Israeli captives in exchange for Israel freeing several Palestinian prisoners. It remains unclear if these discussions will proceed positively.
Casualties and Humanitarian Impact
The ongoing conflict has devastated the Gaza Strip, creating a severe humanitarian crisis for more than two million residents. Following recent escalations, the Israeli military has intensified its operations in the region. According to civil defense spokesperson Mahmud Bassal, current Israeli strikes resulted in at least 20 deaths across Gaza on Saturday alone, highlighting the dire circumstances facing the population.
Among the reported casualties, five individuals lost their lives in an airstrike on a school located in Gaza City, and a subsequent attack near another school sheltering displaced civilians led to three additional fatalities along with numerous injuries, including among children. As many Gazans seek refuge in schools and public spaces to escape the violence, the situation continues to be dire and unpredictable.
Verification of Casualty Figures and Reactions
Due to restrictions imposed on the media in Gaza and issues with accessing various regions, independent verification of casualty figures reported by the civil defense agency remains challenging. In response to queries from AFP, the Israeli military has declined to comment on specific strikes without exact geographical coordinates, which leaves room for uncertainty about the information being circulated.
In a broader context, the initial attack by Hamas in October 2023 resulted in 1,219 deaths as per an AFP tally utilizing Israeli official figures, predominantly affecting civilians. Following this, Israel’s military response has reportedly resulted in a staggering 57,268 casualties in Gaza, most of which also encompass civilians according to the health ministry in the territory governed by Hamas, with the United Nations affirming the reliability of these numbers.
