Hamas announced its immediate readiness to engage in Gaza ceasefire negotiations. This significant update follows consultations with other Palestinian factions, and comes just before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Washington, where President Donald Trump is actively pushing for an end to the 21-month conflict.

In a statement, the militant group confirmed its willingness to "immediately and seriously" enter talks to implement the terms of a US-backed truce proposal. This marks a crucial step in ongoing diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation.

Israel, however, is still deliberating its response to Hamas's positive reaction. A government official indicated that no decision has been made yet, with Israel's security cabinet scheduled to meet soon to discuss the matter.

A key ally of Hamas, Islamic Jihad, supports the ceasefire talks but insists on guarantees that Israel will not resume its aggression once hostages held in Gaza are freed. This demand highlights a recurring point of contention in previous negotiation attempts.

Trump acknowledged Hamas's "positive" response on Friday, stating, "That's good. We have to get it over with. We have to do something about Gaza." His public comments underscore the US commitment to facilitating a resolution.

Previous truces, mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the US, have led to temporary halts in fighting and prisoner exchanges. The current proposal reportedly includes a 60-day truce with the release of Israeli captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, along with the start of negotiations for a permanent ceasefire and Israeli troop withdrawal.

Source: https://www.arabnews.com/node/2606854/middle-east