Hamas announces positive response to Gaza ceasefire proposal

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Hamas announces positive response to Gaza ceasefire proposal

2025-07-05 17:08 Last Updated At：19:47

Hamas said in a statement on Friday night that it has delivered a "positive" response to mediators over a Gaza ceasefire proposal.

"Hamas has completed its consultations with Palestinian factions and forces on the mediators' latest proposal to stop the aggression against our people in Gaza. The movement has delivered its response to the mediators, which was positive," the statement said.

"The movement is seriously prepared to immediately enter into a round of negotiations on the mechanism for implementing this framework," it added.

On the same day, a spokesperson for the Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement (PIJ) said that the militant group had engaged in discussions with Hamas on the ceasefire and had presented detailed suggestions for its implementation.

Hamas' response expressed sincerity, and the PIJ is willing to promote a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, according to the spokesperson.

Despite Hamas' positive response, it proposed minor changes to the existing draft, the Times of Israel reported on the same day.

Regarding humanitarian assistance, Hamas requested the withdrawal of the U.S.-run, Israeli-approved Gaza Humanitarian Fund from the region, advocating that the United Nations and other international organizations continue to oversee the aid distribution, according to the report.

Hamas also demanded that the Israeli army retreat to the positions agreed upon by both sides in the last ceasefire. It also urged the negotiating mediators -- the United States, Qatar and Egypt -- to ensure that Israel will not initiate military operations against Gaza after the 60-day ceasefire expires and that both sides will continue negotiations aimed at achieving a permanent ceasefire, said the report.

Hamas has not yet responded to the Israeli newspaper's report.

Israel has received Hamas' response to the ceasefire proposal through relevant mediators and is currently reviewing its details, according to reports.

It is expected to send a delegation to Doha for indirect negotiations with Hamas, according to a source.

On Friday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that the Israeli air force had attacked about 100 militant targets in Gaza over the past 24 hours, while Israeli ground forces continued their operations against Hamas and other organizations in the region.

The airstrikes targeted various locations, including rocket launchers, military buildings, weapons depots, and other infrastructure utilized by militants.

The Palestinian death toll in the Gaza Strip has risen to 57,268, with 135,625 others injured, since the conflict between Hamas and Israel erupted on October 7, 2023, according to Gaza's health authorities on Friday.

The death toll since March 18 when Israel resumed its military operations has reached 6,710, while the number of injured stands at 23,584.

In the past 24 hours, 138 people have been killed, including 62 who died while attempting to access humanitarian aid.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday urged Hamas to take the 60-day ceasefire deal, saying Israel has agreed to its necessary conditions.

"Israel has agreed to the necessary conditions to finalize the 60-Day CEASEFIRE, during which time we will work with all parties to end the War," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

"My Representatives had a long and productive meeting with the Israelis today on Gaza," he said, adding that Qatar and Egypt will deliver the final proposal.

Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests

The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.

In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.

"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.

Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.

The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."

Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.

President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.

Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.

Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.

The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.