Situation at a glance: Hamas responds positively to proposal for new ceasefire

The Islamist Hamas says it has agreed in principle to a proposal for a new ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. "Hamas has presented a positive response to the mediators," the organization announced in its Telegram channel. It is ready to immediately enter into indirect negotiations on the implementation of this proposal, the statement added.

Hamas reportedly did not provide any further details, including any conditions or reservations. An official of the organization, who did not wish to be identified, told the German Press Agency shortly before the statement was published that the response to the mediators Egypt, Qatar, and the United States also included a request for some clarifications.

According to the statement, there is still a need for clarification regarding the continuation of the ceasefire after the initial 60-day period, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip, and unhindered access for humanitarian aid to the sealed-off coastal area.

The Hamas-affiliated Islamic Jihad said it supported the ceasefire talks, but also made demands. The militant Palestinian organization is demanding guarantees that Israel will not resume hostilities once the hostages are released, a spokesperson told the Arab news channel Al Jazeera.

The mediators recently presented a proposal for a 60-day ceasefire in the Gaza war. According to US President Donald Trump, Israel has already agreed to the "necessary conditions" for concluding the ceasefire.

The exact terms of the mediators' new proposal are still unclear. According to Israeli and international media, the proposed deal calls for the release of ten of the at least 20 remaining surviving hostages and the handover of the bodies of 18 abductees in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

Hamas wants guarantee for final end to fighting

Previous ceasefire deals had failed due to the diverging views of Israel and Hamas. During the limited period of the ceasefire, the parties were supposed to negotiate the details of a permanent ceasefire.

The Islamists are demanding an agreement that effectively ends the war. Israel wants to reserve the right to take further military action after the 60 days have passed if the detailed negotiations fail to produce a result.

Ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's planned trip to Washington next week, high-ranking former Israeli military officers have called for an end to the Gaza war. In an open letter, the Commanders for Israel's Security (CSI) called on US President Donald Trump to persuade the Israeli leader to end the fighting. A continuation of the war endangers the lives of the hostages and Israeli soldiers and prolongs the suffering of the Palestinians.

"In our professional assessment, the Israeli armed forces have long since fulfilled their dual mission of dismantling the Hamas government and destroying its military capabilities," said the letter from the group, which claims to include more than 550 former military, police, and intelligence officers. "Hamas no longer poses a strategic threat to Israel."