Hamas Open to Gaza Truce but Rejects Trump-Backed Plan

Efforts to establish a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas have intensified following a U.S.-backed proposal announced by President Donald Trump. While Israel has agreed to the terms of a 60-day truce, Hamas has expressed openness to negotiations but insists that any agreement must result in a complete end to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Ceasefire Proposal and Divergent Positions

President Trump revealed that Israel has accepted a 60-day ceasefire plan, which includes provisions for increased humanitarian aid to Gaza and the release of hostages. The proposal, facilitated by mediators from Qatar and Egypt, aims to create a window for broader negotiations to end the war. Trump emphasized that this opportunity should be seized promptly, warning that conditions could deteriorate further if the deal is not accepted.

Hamas, while not rejecting the proposal outright, maintains that any ceasefire must lead to a permanent cessation of hostilities and a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. The group is scheduled to meet with Egyptian and Qatari mediators in Cairo to discuss the proposal in detail. Hamas’s stance reflects its longstanding demand for a comprehensive resolution that addresses the root causes of the conflict.

Israel, on the other hand, insists that any truce must be contingent upon Hamas’s disarmament and the dismantling of its military infrastructure. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated that there will be no place for Hamas in Gaza’s future governance, underscoring the deep-seated mistrust between the two parties.

Humanitarian Crisis and Civilian Casualties

The protracted conflict, which began in October 2023 following a deadly Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, has resulted in significant civilian casualties and widespread destruction in Gaza. According to health authorities, over 57,000 people have been killed, with women and children comprising a substantial portion of the fatalities. The ongoing hostilities have displaced more than 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.

In a recent development, Dr. Marwan al-Sultan, the director of the Indonesian Hospital in northern Gaza, was killed along with several family members in an Israeli airstrike targeting his residence. The Indonesian Hospital, one of the few remaining medical facilities in the area, has been under siege, further straining the already overwhelmed healthcare system.