Hamas has responded positively to a U.S.-brokered Gaza ceasefire proposal and expressed readiness for talks on implementing the deal. President Donald Trump announced a 60-day ceasefire proposal aimed at ending the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Hamas confirmed its willingness to engage in negotiations and stated its commitment to moving forward with the ceasefire agreement. Challenges remain, including concerns about humanitarian aid and Israeli troop withdrawals. President Trump emphasized the importance of a speedy ceasefire and the release of hostages. Israeli attacks have led to casualties in Gaza, prompting calls for an immediate ceasefire. Hamas is urged to disarm, a demand they have yet to address. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet with President Trump to discuss the situation further. The ceasefire proposal aims to bring an end to the ongoing conflict and bring relief to those affected by the violence.
At the Sabbath dinner table, 50 empty chairs symbolized those still held in Gaza. Nearby banners showcased a post by Trump on Truth Social, urging to “MAKE THE DEAL IN GAZA. GET THE HOSTAGES BACK!!!” Gideon Rosenberg, 48, from Tel Aviv passionately stated, “Only you can make the deal. We want one beautiful deal. One beautiful hostage deal.” He wore a shirt with the image of Avinatan Or, his employee abducted by Palestinian militants at the Nova musical festival on October 7, 2023. Or is one of the 20 hostages believed to be alive after over 600 days in captivity. Negotiations suggest the return of 10 hostages within 60 days, alongside the bodies of the remaining 18 captives. Ruby Chen, 55, father of Itay Chen, a 19-year-old American-Israeli believed to have been killed while captive, urged Netanyahu to secure a deal returning all hostages from his meeting with Trump. Itay, also a German national and an Israeli soldier, was captured during Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023, resulting in the deaths of around 1,200 individuals, predominantly civilians, and the capture of 251 more. Israel’s retaliatory actions against Hamas have left Gaza in ruins, displacing most of its population of over 2 million and leading to widespread hunger. Nearly 57,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have lost their lives in almost two years of conflict.
