Hamas 'welcomes' Trump Gaza ceasefire proposal
Hamas 'welcomes' Trump Gaza ceasefire proposal
Hamas has welcomed a new ceasefire proposal put forward by the United States, which includes a prisoner exchange and the launch of Donald Trump-led negotiations to formally end the Israeli genocide in Gaza.
The Palestinian movement confirmed on Sunday that it had received “some ideas from the American side” regarding a potential ceasefire, adding that it was ready to “immediately sit at the negotiating table to discuss” the proposal.
The statement followed reports in Israeli media suggesting that the US was preparing a new framework for a ceasefire agreement.
According to those reports, the proposal would involve the release of all 48 remaining Israeli captives on the first day of the ceasefire, in exchange for the release of thousands of Palestinian prisoners.
Simultaneously, negotiations to end the war would begin, led by the US president, and Israel would abandon its ongoing assault to occupy and destroy Gaza City.
The ceasefire would remain in effect for as long as the negotiations continue.
Though Hamas expressed readiness to negotiate the deal, it added that a "clear declaration of ending the war" would be required.
It also add that ceasefire "must be accompanied by a clear and explicit commitment from the enemy (Israel) to abide by any agreement reached, in order to avoid a repeat of previous failed experiences”.
Last month, Israel dismissed a ceasefire agreement it had previously approved after Hamas signed off on it.
Instead, the Israeli security cabinet authorised a plan to occupy the Gaza Strip, beginning with the seizure of Gaza City.
The statement by Hamas came shortly after Trump issued what he called his "last warning" to the Palestinian movement, urging it to accept the deal.
Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon on Monday said his country has accepted the proposal.
Ongoing assault on Gaza
On the ground, Israeli forces continued to heavily bombard Gaza City.
Defence Minister Israel Katz on Monday threatened to step up air strikes targeting high-rise buildings in the city, which shelter hundreds of internally displaced families.
“Today, a powerful hurricane will strike the skies of Gaza City, and the roofs of the terror towers will tremble,” Katz said on X.
The Israeli public broadcaster quoted a senior Israeli army officer as saying that Gaza City will be subjected to bombardment like never before on Monday.
Mahmoud Basal, Palestinian civil defence spokesman in Gaza, said that the military has completely destroyed over 50 buildings in Gaza City since dawn on Sunday, adding that 100 others were partially damaged.
Israel's wave of strikes on Gaza City in recent days has largely targeted residential areas, including high-rise towers.
Residents of Gaza City have described the latest Israeli bombardment as the most violent in weeks, according to local media.
The official death toll from Israel's over 700-day genocide has risen to 64,522, with over 163,096 others wounded.
