Hamas Signals Willingness For Talks On Gaza Ceasefire As Pressure Mounts

<p>Hamas has declared it responded &ldquo;in a positive spirit&rdquo; on Friday to a US-brokered proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza, signalling its readiness to enter negotiations over a deal that could see hostages freed and talks launched to end the nearly 21-month conflict.</p>
<p>US President Donald Trump earlier unveiled what he described as a &ldquo;final proposal&rdquo; for a 60-day truce between Israel and Hamas, expressing confidence that responses from both sides would arrive within hours.</p>
<p>In a statement published on its official website on Friday evening, Hamas said: &ldquo;The movement has delivered its response to the brotherly mediators, which was characterised by a positive spirit. Hamas is fully prepared, with all seriousness, to immediately enter a new round of negotiations on the mechanism for implementing this framework.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Israeli media outlets reported that Israel had received Hamas&rsquo;s reply and was reviewing its contents.</p>
<p>According to a report by The Guardian earlier, Hamas leaders were edging closer to accepting the proposed ceasefire, though they were pressing for firmer assurances that any halt in fighting would ultimately pave the way for a permanent end to the war.</p>
<p>The Islamist militant group has come under mounting strain in recent months, as its military leadership has been severely weakened and Israeli forces have driven Hamas fighters from key positions in southern and central Gaza.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Israel has escalated its offensive. In the past few days alone, a series of intense airstrikes have pummelled Gaza, killing over 250 Palestinians&mdash;including many women and children&mdash;according to medical and civil defence officials.</p>
<p>On Tuesday, Trump announced that Israel had agreed to conditions necessary to cement a 60-day ceasefire, during which both sides would work towards concluding the war. Questioned on Thursday about whether Hamas had endorsed the latest ceasefire framework, he said: &ldquo;We&rsquo;ll see what happens. We are going to know over the next 24 hours.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to fly to Washington on Sunday for talks with Trump, covering the Gaza war, the recent hostilities between Israel and Iran, and broader regional challenges.</p>