Hamas Gives Preliminary Approval Amid Israeli Government Division; Trump Predicts Ceasefire by Week’s End

Ceasefire Agreement Nears as Diplomatic Efforts Intensify

The Palestinian movement Hamas confirmed in an official statement its readiness to immediately enter negotiations to implement a ceasefire agreement, following consultations with Palestinian factions. The movement requested three amendments to the proposed terms concerning the mechanism for aid delivery, a gradual withdrawal of the Israeli military, and international guarantees to prevent the resumption of hostilities.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced the possibility of reaching a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip by next week, noting that the recent Palestinian response reflects a positive spirit amid diplomatic efforts by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt to end the conflict.

Meanwhile, Israel stated it is studying Hamas’s response in detail at both security and political levels ahead of expected negotiations. Arrangements include a partial redeployment of forces within the “buffer zone,” while maintaining control over the Philadelphia axis. The Israeli government is convening a broad session today to discuss the response, amid opposition from Ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir. However, estimates suggest the government will approve the agreement by majority vote.

The Qatari proposal, based on the “Witekoff” framework, centers on a 60-day truce that includes the release of 10 living prisoners and 18 bodies by Israel, in exchange for the release of 125 Palestinian prisoners and 1,111 detainees from Gaza. The agreement aims to pave the way for subsequent negotiations to end the war, with U.S. guarantees to continue talks if a final deal is not reached by the end of the truce period.

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