The terrorist organization Hamas announced that it welcomes any initiative that could support efforts toward a ceasefire in Gaza and stressed its willingness to immediately sit at the negotiating table to discuss a deal for the release of all hostages. However, the terrorist organization stopped short of explicitly endorsing US President Donald Trump's proposal.
In its official statement, Hamas confirmed it had received several ideas from the American side for a ceasefire agreement.
While signaling readiness to return to talks, the terrorist organization once again set out conditions:
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A clear declaration ending the war.
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Full withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.
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Establishment of a Palestinian technocratic committee to govern Gaza.
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Public and explicit international guarantees binding Israel, in order to avoid a repeat of the collapse of negotiations in August.
Hamas emphasized that it remains in constant contact with mediators to further "develop" these ideas into a comprehensive agreement.
US proposal and hostage release
Talks between the United States and Hamas are taking place on multiple tracks, all based on Washington's latest offer, presented before the IDF completes its takeover of the Gaza Strip.
Over the past two weeks, amid Israel's insistence on a full deal covering the release of all hostages, the American outline was refined into a multi-stage plan. It begins with the framework of the earlier "Wittkoff framework" but incorporates elements related to reconstruction and ending the war.
On Saturday, Israel Hayom reported that direct communication between the US and Hamas had resumed through several channels: the official Wittkoff team conveying the president's positions and warnings; American businessman Beshara Bahbah, who delivers the same messages in softer form and with semi-official assurances; and, as revealed recently, Israeli left-wing activist Gershon Baskin, who in the past was involved in the mediation that led to the Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange.
US sources said the contacts reflect a continued shift in Hamas' rhetoric and a degree of flexibility. But they cautioned that "Hamas still refuses to engage on the core issues of ending the war, particularly disarmament and the introduction of international and Arab oversight in the Gaza Strip."
