Hamas Backs Ceasefire Framework, Seeks Negotiations \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Hamas gave a “positive” response to a proposed Gaza ceasefire but says further negotiations are needed. Meanwhile, airstrikes and aid-related shootings killed dozens of Palestinians. The U.N. cites over 600 deaths during aid distribution.
Quick Looks
- Hamas responds “positively” to U.S.-backed ceasefire framework.
- Talks still needed on aid flow, prisoner-hostage exchanges.
- Trump pushing for 60-day truce; Netanyahu to visit D.C.
- Israel airstrikes killed 15; 20 others died seeking food.
- U.N. says 613 Palestinians killed near aid sites in a month.
- Hamas wants UN-led aid, Israeli troop withdrawal.
- Gaza death toll surpasses 57,000, mostly women and children.
- New Israeli evacuation orders issued in southern Gaza.
Deep Look
A fragile window for peace may be emerging in Gaza as Hamas issued a “positive response” to a proposed U.S.-backed ceasefire framework on Friday, raising cautious hope that the nearly 21-month-long war could pause, even temporarily. However, the militant group emphasized that further negotiations are essential before any deal can be finalized, especially around the key issues of aid distribution, prisoner exchanges, and Israeli troop withdrawal.
The proposal, championed by U.S. President Donald Trump, calls for a 60-day ceasefire during which formal negotiations would begin toward a permanent ceasefire. Trump stated Tuesday that Israel had agreed to the terms and urged Hamas to do the same before the humanitarian crisis deepens. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to visit Washington next week for further talks.
Hamas conveyed its reply through mediators in Egypt and Qatar, expressing readiness “to immediately enter into a round of negotiations” to work out the implementation mechanism. Though the group stopped short of full endorsement, a senior Hamas official told reporters that the truce could begin as early as next week—if remaining issues are addressed. These include the ratio of Palestinian prisoners released for Israeli hostages and the volume of aid permitted into Gaza during the pause.
The same official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said negotiations on a permanent ceasefire and Israeli military withdrawal would begin on day one of the truce. He also claimed the U.S. had provided a guarantee to extend the truce beyond 60 days if needed to finalize the agreement. The White House has not confirmed such a commitment.
Previous ceasefire talks have broken down over Hamas demands for guarantees that talks would lead to an end to the war. Israel, under Netanyahu, has maintained that military operations will continue until Hamas is dismantled.
As diplomatic efforts gained traction, violence on the ground escalated. Israeli airstrikes killed at least 15 people in southern Gaza on Friday, including eight women and one child. The strikes hit the Muwasi area—designated by Israel as a “safe zone” but now densely packed with displaced families living in makeshift tents.
Simultaneously, humanitarian tragedy unfolded around food aid distribution points. According to officials at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, 20 Palestinians were killed Friday while trying to access food. Three died en route to centers run by the Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), while 17 others were gunned down waiting for aid trucks in an Israeli-controlled “red zone.”
Survivors described chaos as Israeli forces allegedly opened fire on civilians approaching aid trucks. Seddiq Abu Farhana, one survivor, said he was shot in the leg while trying to collect flour. “It was a crowd of people… who want to eat and live,” he said.
The U.N. human rights office reported that 613 Palestinians have been killed within a month while attempting to access aid, 509 of them at or near GHF-operated sites. Spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said the agency could not assign full responsibility but confirmed that Israeli forces have fired on civilians near these zones.
The Israeli military claims it uses warning shots to control unruly crowds and denies shooting into aid sites directly. GHF, for its part, cast doubt on the casualty counts, accusing the U.N. of relying on data from Gaza’s Hamas-run Health Ministry. Shamdasani countered that their information is compiled from “reliable sources, including medical, human rights and humanitarian organizations.”
The World Health Organization and the International Committee of the Red Cross have reported being overwhelmed with casualties—mostly gunshot victims—near aid distribution centers. Nasser Hospital, the region’s largest medical facility still functioning, reports dozens of wounded arriving daily from food lines.
Also Friday, the Israeli military announced the deaths of two soldiers in separate combat operations in Gaza. More than 860 Israeli troops have died since the war began, including over 400 during ground fighting in Gaza.
In preparation for further operations, Israel issued new evacuation orders for neighborhoods in northeast Khan Younis, driving civilians toward already overcrowded coastal zones. Humanitarian groups warn these densely populated areas have become increasingly unlivable, with limited access to food, water, or shelter.
The war’s toll continues to mount. Gaza’s Health Ministry reported that more than 57,000 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict began in October 2023, following a surprise Hamas-led attack on southern Israel that killed 1,200 people and led to the capture of about 250 hostages. The ministry says over half of the dead are women and children.
As diplomats work behind the scenes and violence shows no signs of abating, the coming week may prove decisive. Trump hinted at a breakthrough, telling reporters aboard Air Force One, “We’re going to know over the next 24 hours.”
Whether that leads to a humanitarian reprieve or another round of failed diplomacy remains to be seen. What is certain: civilians continue to pay the heaviest price.
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