The Palestinian movement, Hamas, said on Wednesday it was considering a ceasefire proposal for Gaza, which the US President, Donald Trump, described as “final,” reported Reuters.
Studying Ceasefire Proposal
In a statement, Hamas said it was studying a new ceasefire proposal offered by the Egyptian and Qatari mediators. However, the Palestinian group emphasized that its aim is reaching an agreement that would guarantee an end to the war and a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
Hamas senior official, Taher Al-Nunu, said that the group was “ready and serious regarding reaching an agreement,” reported the Associated Press (AP). He added that Hamas was “ready to accept any initiative that clearly leads to the complete end to the war.”
Moreover, a delegation from the Palestinian group was expected to meet with Egyptian and Qatari mediators in Cairo on Wednesday to discuss the ceasefire proposal, the AP reported quoting an Egyptian official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Trump’s Announcement
Earlier on Wednesday, Trump said that Israel had agreed to the conditions required to finalize a 60-day ceasefire, following a “long and productive” meeting between his representatives and Israeli officials on Gaza.
“Israel has agreed to the necessary conditions to finalize the 60 Day CEASEFIRE, during which time we will work with all parties to end the War. The Qataris and Egyptians, who have worked very hard to help bring Peace, will deliver this final proposal,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
He urged Hamas to accept the ceasefire deal. “I hope, for the good of the Middle East, that Hamas takes this Deal, because it will not get better — IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE,” he added.
No Hamas in Postwar Gaza
On his part, the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, reiterated his call for the destruction of Hamas. After Trump’s announcement, Netanyahu said: “There will not be a Hamas. There will not be a Hamastan. We’re not going back to that. It’s over.”
The Israeli Prime Minister is expected to arrive in Washington on Monday, where he will meet with Trump in the White House. This follows the Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer’s visit to Washington on Monday, during which he was set to meet with US special envoy, Steve Witkoff, Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, and Vice President, JD Vance, to discuss the situation in Gaza.
Israeli Seriousness about Ceasefire
Meanwhile, the Israeli Foreign Minister, Gideon Saar, conveyed Israel’s seriousness about reaching a ceasefire deal to end the Gaza war and return the hostages.
Speaking at a press conference in Estonia’s capital, Tallinn, Saar said: “We are serious in our will to reach a hostage deal and a ceasefire. We said yes to special envoy Witkoff’s proposals.
“There are some positive signs. I don’t want to say more than that right now. But our goal is to begin proximity talks as soon as possible.”
Ramping Up Pressure
The Israeli Minister also called for increased international pressure on the Palestinian movement. “But it must be clear: Hamas is not only responsible for initiating this war on October 7 (2023). It is responsible also for its continuation,” he noted.
“Pressure must be applied on Hamas. The international community must now back the American initiatives. It must shatter any illusions that Hamas may have,” Saar said.
