Hamas indicated on Wednesday that it is open to a ceasefire with Israel, but the group did not accept a U.S.-backed proposal presented by President Donald Trump. The militant group emphasized its longstanding position that any agreement must result in a complete end to the war in Gaza.
Trump’s 60-day ceasefire plan is intended to create an opportunity to work toward ending the conflict, but Hamas’ insistence on a permanent resolution remains a significant obstacle.
President Trump revealed that Israel had agreed to the proposed 60-day ceasefire, with hopes of building momentum toward ending the conflict. He urged Hamas to accept the deal quickly, warning that conditions in Gaza would only deteriorate further.
Trump stated the deal could come together as early as next week. However, Israel remains firm in its stance that the war cannot end until Hamas is defeated — creating a wide gap between the two sides’ demands.
Hamas Pushes for War’s End as Ceasefire Talks Stall Over Core Disagreements
Hamas official Taher al-Nunu reiterated the group’s willingness to reach a deal that guarantees an end to the war, asserting Hamas’ seriousness about peace. A delegation is set to meet with Egyptian and Qatari mediators in Cairo to discuss the proposed ceasefire.
The exact details remain vague, and while the U.S. and mediators might offer assurances for future negotiations, Israel reportedly is not committing to an end-of-war clause within this current deal.
Despite months of international efforts, ceasefire talks have continuously stalled over how the war should conclude. Hamas is offering to release the remaining hostages in return for a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a permanent ceasefire. Israel, on the other hand, demands Hamas’ surrender, disarmament, and exile. These starkly different conditions make a mutual agreement elusive, despite some movement in diplomatic channels.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens in Gaza Amid Strikes, Displacement, and Medical System Collapse
As diplomatic efforts continue, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens. Israeli strikes have killed at least 40 more Palestinians since Wednesday morning. The Gaza Health Ministry reports over 57,000 deaths since the conflict began, with women and children making up more than half the casualties.
Over 90% of Gaza’s population has been displaced, and medical infrastructure is collapsing, as seen with Shifa Hospital halting dialysis services due to fuel shortages.
The recent Israeli airstrike killed Dr. Marwan Sultan, director of the Indonesian Hospital, along with his family. He had remained at his post throughout the war, providing critical medical care.
His death has shocked the medical community and further exemplifies the toll the conflict is taking on Gaza’s civilian population. Hospital officials and colleagues mourned him as a dedicated humanitarian, emphasizing the deep personal and professional losses inflicted by the war.
