Hamas officially responded on Friday night to the latest offer aimed at securing a ceasefire in Gaza and facilitating a hostage release agreement.
In a public statement, the terrorist faction said, “Hamas has completed its internal consultations and with the Palestinian factions regarding the latest proposal from the mediators to halt the aggression against our people in Gaza.”
The group went on to say, “The organization has delivered its response to the mediating brothers, and it is characterized by positivity. The organization is ready, with all seriousness, to immediately enter a round of negotiations regarding the mechanism for implementing this framework.”
An Israeli source confirmed that the response from Hamas had been received via intermediaries, and that Israeli officials were now reviewing the content of the reply.
Qatar’s Al-Arabi channel was the first to report, based on its own sources, that Hamas’s message to the mediators expressed openness to the latest proposal involving a cessation of fighting and the exchange of hostages.
A top Hamas representative told Reuters that the response to the initiative had been formally submitted and emphasized that it “is positive and could help reach an agreement.”
Earlier in the day, an individual affiliated with Palestinian terror factions had told Al Arabiya that Hamas was anticipated to convey its position Friday night. The source also noted that there was widespread backing among the various terrorist factions for a 60-day pause in fighting, during which discussions would continue regarding a permanent ceasefire and a total pullout of Israeli troops from Gaza.
In a report aired by Kan 11 News, it was noted that Hamas would likely present its reaction as generally favorable but intends to push for changes on three crucial elements.
The first issue is related to reinstating a previous system for humanitarian aid, one that would permit Hamas to oversee some of the supplies entering Gaza.
The second demand is that should negotiations stall or collapse during the 60-day timeframe, the pause in fighting must automatically continue, rather than violence breaking out again.
Finally, Hamas is insisting on changes to the proposed extent of the IDF’s withdrawal from Gaza, seeking a more comprehensive retreat.
On Thursday, Reuters cited an Israeli source indicating that Israeli leadership is actively preparing to move forward with a formal ceasefire deal in the coming days.
Details of the proposed arrangement between Hamas and Israel emerged earlier this week.
The New York Times, quoting both an Israeli defense contact and an individual linked to Hamas, revealed that the framework includes the release of ten hostages believed to still be alive, along with the transfer of the remains of 18 others held by Hamas. Both sources, who were briefed on the matter, spoke anonymously given the delicate nature of the talks.
One key difference between this outline and an earlier American plan put forward in May is the phased release schedule. Instead of completing the hostage releases within the first week of the truce, this plan envisions five separate handover stages spanning the full 60 days.
In addition, the deal reportedly includes a clause prohibiting Hamas from holding public, televised transfer events, a practice widely criticized during the January truce period.
Who is Hamas? Why are they still relevant? Why is there any agreement without a unconditional hostage release?