Hamas response to ceasefire offer expected within 24 hours, says US President Trump

The terrorist organization Hamas is expected to issue an official response to the latest proposal for a Gaza ceasefire and hostage-release deal with Israel within 24 hours, U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Friday morning local Israeli time.

Trump's statement followed earlier reports that Hamas would respond to the offer before Friday evening.

Speaking with reporters, Trump also said that Gazans have “been through hell,” while evading an answer on whether he still plans to pursue his Gaza reconstruction plans. “I want the people of Gaza to be safe,” he added, “They’ve been through hell.”

According to statements by Hamas sources, the group is still discussing the proposal with other Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip.

The Saudi news outlet Asharq reported that Hamas is now ready to show “flexibility” on several points of contention in the negotiations.

Hamas leaders could concede on the issue of disarmament by committing to stop weapons smuggling and local manufacturing, while allowing the transfer of its remaining weapons into storage in a location without Hamas presence.

Regarding Israel’s demand to exile the group’s leadership, the report stated that Hamas could agree to the deportation of a “symbolic” number of officials as a compromise.

Citing the mediators, Asharq further reported that Hamas is ready to relinquish governance of the enclave but insists on a transitional phase and retaining control over law enforcement.

Israel is insisting on the complete dismantling of Hamas' governmental capabilities and is unlikely to accept Hamas retaining any role in public administration or law enforcement.

“The movement [Hamas] is the only entity capable of understanding the dynamics of Gazan society and maintaining security there,” a source told Asharq, particularly “after two years of war, during which societal collapses occurred as a result of killing, destruction, starvation and displacement.”

Israel said it had agreed to the latest outline, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a group of high-ranking ministers on Thursday night to continue discussing details of the agreement.

According to Israel’s Channel 13 News, the proposed arrangement would begin with a 60-day ceasefire, during which 10 living hostages and 18 hostage bodies would be released in five separate stages.

A key point in the agreement is a personal guarantee from President Trump. According to Channel 12 News, the expected formulation states that Trump will “commit that negotiations over the terms for ending the war will continue even after a temporary ceasefire, and that I will do everything in my power to help the parties reach an agreement on the terms of a permanent ceasefire.”

Israeli sources have repeatedly stated that Israel will not commit to refraining from renewed fighting if negotiations break down.

A senior Israeli official told Channel 13 on Thursday, “If it [Hamas] comes back with a positive answer, [the deal] could take place by next week.”