On July 5, 2025, the armed group Hamas announced it had responded "with a positive spirit" to a United States-brokered ceasefire proposal aimed at ending nearly 21 months of conflict in the Gaza Strip. The announcement marks a significant step toward potentially halting one of the most protracted and devastating conflicts in the region, though key concerns remain unresolved.
Hamas declared its readiness to enter new negotiations immediately to implement the framework of the ceasefire agreement. "We are completely ready and serious to immediately enter new negotiations on the mechanism for implementing this framework," the group stated after completing extensive internal consultations and discussions with other Palestinian factions and armed groups.
Supporting Hamas’s position, the Islamic Jihad organization, a close ally in Gaza, also expressed backing for negotiations but insisted on guarantees that Israel would halt all aggressive actions after the release of hostages currently held by Hamas. This demand highlights the fragile trust between the parties, as the hostage issue remains a critical and sensitive point in the talks.
A Palestinian official from an armed group allied with Hamas conveyed ongoing concerns about humanitarian aid delivery, the right of movement through the Rafah crossing into Egypt, and clarity regarding the timeline for Israeli troop withdrawals. These issues underscore the complex logistics and political challenges involved in any ceasefire agreement.
Meanwhile, Israeli media confirmed that Tel Aviv has received Hamas’s response and is actively reviewing it, though Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has yet to publicly comment on the United States’ proposal. Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Monday, July 7, 2025, a meeting expected to be pivotal in shaping the next phase of the peace process.
President Trump had earlier announced a "final proposal" for a 60-day ceasefire intended to bring an end to the conflict, which erupted in October 2023 after Hamas launched a coordinated attack on southern Israel, killing over 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Trump expressed optimism that both sides would respond within hours to the proposal and emphasized his intention to be "very firm" with Netanyahu about the urgency of reaching a ceasefire, noting that the Israeli leader also desires peace.
According to a Palestinian source familiar with the situation, the ceasefire proposal includes a stipulation that during the 60-day truce, Hamas would release half of the remaining living hostages in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Currently, 49 hostages remain in Gaza, with Israel believing that 27 have died. The hostage issue remains a deeply emotional and contentious matter for both sides, complicating negotiations.
The conflict has exacted a devastating toll: Israeli airstrikes have killed over 57,000 people in Gaza, most of them civilians, according to local health authorities. In just the 24 hours leading up to July 4, 2025, at least 138 people were reported killed by Israeli strikes, underscoring the urgent need for a ceasefire.
An Egyptian security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, described Hamas’s response as showing "positive signs indicating an agreement is imminent," but cautioned that several demands from the armed group still require resolution. Egypt, along with Qatar, has played a key role as mediator in the negotiations, working tirelessly to bridge the deep divides between Israel and Hamas.
Adding to the gravity of the situation, Izz al-Din al-Haddad, the newly appointed military leader of Hamas’s armed wing, recently warned that unless an "honorable agreement" is reached to end the war, the conflict in Gaza could escalate into a "martyrdom" war, signaling a potentially even more violent and desperate phase.
Despite the apparent progress, Netanyahu’s stance remains firm: he has repeatedly insisted that Hamas must be disarmed, a condition that Hamas has so far refused to discuss. This impasse reflects the profound mistrust and divergent goals that have long plagued peace efforts.
The upcoming meeting between Netanyahu and Trump is widely anticipated to be a critical juncture. While Trump has declared Israel’s agreement to the "necessary conditions" for the 60-day ceasefire, the details and implementation remain to be hammered out amid lingering skepticism and unresolved issues.
As the world watches closely, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire. The destruction wrought by ongoing airstrikes has left vast areas in ruins, with civilians bearing the brunt of the violence. The international community continues to call for an immediate ceasefire to prevent further loss of life and suffering.
In summary, Hamas’s positive response to the U.S.-proposed ceasefire offers a glimmer of hope after nearly two years of brutal conflict. Yet, the road ahead is fraught with challenges, from hostage releases and humanitarian access to troop withdrawals and disarmament demands. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether these deeply entrenched issues can be resolved or if the cycle of violence will tragically continue.
