Hamas ceasefire nod draws international support and diplomatic attention
The Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, has announced its agreement to U.S. President Donald Trump’s ceasefire proposal for the Gaza Strip. The statement has been met with widespread reactions and responses from regional and international actors.
This story is being updated…
Israeli cabinet holds emergency meeting without hardline ministers
A Hebrew-language website reported that after Hamas issued its response to Donald Trump’s Gaza plan, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held emergency consultations without two of his hardline ministers who oppose a ceasefire.
Ynet reported on Saturday that Netanyahu conducted the consultations with Israel Katz, the Minister of War, and Ron Dermer, Minister of Strategic Affairs, following Hamas’s response. However, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Interior Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir were not invited to the meeting.
The report added that Netanyahu is considering appointing Ron Dermer to lead the Israeli negotiating delegation that will travel to Egypt. Dermer, however, has announced that he will soon resign from his cabinet post. No final decision has yet been made on this matter.
Meanwhile, The Times of Israel interpreted the absence of the two hardline ministers as a sign of growing pressure on Netanyahu to end the Gaza war, following Hamas’s response to the U.S. proposal.
Gaza death toll surpasses 67,000
The Gaza Ministry of Health announced on Saturday that more than 331 Palestinians were killed or injured in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of deaths in what it described as the genocide war to 67,074.
According to the daily update, 66 people were killed and 265 wounded were taken to hospitals across the Strip in the past day.
The Palestinian news agency Shehab quoted the ministry as saying that many victims still remain under rubble or in the streets, beyond the reach of rescue teams and civil defense units.
With the new figures, the overall toll from Israel’s assault since October 7, 2023, has risen to 67,074 killed and 169,430 injured. The number of those who died from malnutrition has climbed to 459, including 154 children.
First round of ceasefire talks set in Egypt
Israeli media reported Saturday that the first round of indirect ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas will soon begin in Egypt, with the city of El-Arish in North Sinai named as the host.
U.S. Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff is also expected to travel to the region to participate in the talks.
Both sides are preparing for negotiations on the details of the 20-point U.S. plan, which includes a phased ceasefire, prisoner exchanges, and the formation of a provisional government in Gaza.
Hamas: No disarmament without a Palestinian state
Walid Kilani, Hamas spokesperson in Lebanon, said the group’s acceptance of Trump’s ceasefire proposal does not include surrendering its weapons.
Speaking to Russia’s RIA Novosti, he stated: “Hamas has never considered giving up its weapons, nor has it linked its acceptance of this agreement to such a condition. Our stance is clear: as long as occupation continues, resistance continues. Disarmament is only possible once a fully sovereign Palestinian state with a national army capable of protecting its people is established.”
He added that while the key element of the U.S. proposal is a ceasefire, Hamas remains open to discussing other conditions.
Palestinian Resistance Factions: Hamas response reflects national consensus
Palestinian resistance factions issued a statement affirming that Hamas’s response to the U.S. proposal reflects a national position formed after extensive consultations.
According to Al-Mayadeen, the factions emphasized that the response aligns with the interests of the Palestinian people and guarantees an end to the genocidal war.
They stressed the need for follow-up steps by all parties and called on the Palestinian Authority to fulfill its responsibilities, including the convening of an immediate national meeting.
The factions stated that the Palestinian people deserve results that meet their national aspirations for freedom, independence, and an end to occupation, and described Hamas’s responsible stance as a message to the world that the time has come to end Israeli occupation.
EU welcomes Hamas’s conditional acceptance
The European Union, along with several European and Arab states, welcomed Hamas’s conditional acceptance of Trump’s ceasefire proposal, calling it “encouraging.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on X that “an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages is within reach.”
She reiterated that a two-state solution remains the only viable path to lasting peace, adding that Europe supports all efforts to end civilian suffering and advance that goal.
Israel to halt Gaza city offensive
Axios, citing an Israeli official, reported that the Israeli army will shift to defensive operations only and halt its offensive to seize Gaza City, following political directives.
The Hebrew-language Channel Kan also reported that Israel’s political leadership has instructed the army to scale back offensive operations, with talks expected to begin soon.
Meanwhile, Israeli media quoted a military spokesperson as saying the army chief of staff has ordered preparations for implementing the first phase of Trump’s plan, aimed at securing the release of prisoners.
Reactions from Turkey, Trump, and Netanyahu’s office
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called Hamas’s response to the ceasefire proposal “a constructive and important step toward achieving lasting peace.”
U.S. President Donald Trump thanked countries involved in mediating the Gaza negotiations, including Qatar, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and others.
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement saying: “In light of Hamas’s response, we are preparing to implement the first phase of Trump’s plan for the immediate release of all captives, and we will continue to cooperate with Trump and his team to end the war.”