U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed cautious optimism about reaching a Gaza ceasefire agreement as early as next week, after Hamas confirmed it had delivered a “positive” response to a U.S.-brokered proposal.
Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump said, “They said they gave me a positive response? Well, that’s good. There could be a Gaza deal next week.” However, he admitted he had not yet been briefed on the details of Hamas’ latest communication.
Hamas confirmed on Monday that it had completed internal consultations and delivered its response to mediators in Egypt and Qatar. In a statement, the group said it was “fully prepared” to enter a new round of negotiations to implement the ceasefire framework.
The U.S. proposal includes a 60-day truce aimed at halting Israel’s nearly 21-month military campaign in Gaza. The plan involves the phased release of hostages held by Hamas, Israeli troop withdrawals, and renewed efforts toward a permanent end to the conflict.
Trump previously said that Israel had agreed to “the necessary conditions” to finalise the deal, though Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has yet to publicly confirm this. Netanyahu is scheduled to meet Trump in Washington on Monday.
Despite Hamas’ apparent openness to the plan, Palestinian officials have raised concerns over unresolved issues, including humanitarian aid delivery, access via the Rafah crossing, and clarity on Israeli troop withdrawal timelines.
An Egyptian security official told Reuters that while Hamas’ response contained “positive signs,” some demands still needed to be addressed. Both Egypt and Qatar have been serving as key mediators.
Meanwhile, violence in Gaza continues unabated. According to Gaza’s civil defence agency, at least 32 Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes on Wednesday morning, including five in an attack on a school in Gaza City and three near another school used as a shelter. Local health officials report that at least 138 Palestinians have died in the past 24 hours alone.
In Khan Younis, an airstrike on a tent encampment killed 15 people, including children, according to hospital officials. The Israeli military claimed it had eliminated militants, destroyed weapons caches, and struck 100 Hamas-linked targets across the territory.
Amid the worsening humanitarian situation, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) reported that two American aid workers were injured in a grenade attack at a food distribution site. The organisation, backed by the U.S. and Israel, said both were in stable condition. The assailants remain unidentified.
Despite growing international pressure and mounting civilian casualties, a final agreement remains elusive. Trump has pledged to push Netanyahu for a swift ceasefire during their upcoming talks. “There should have been a ceasefire long ago,” said 13-year-old Mayar Al Farr, mourning her brother Mahmoud, who was shot while trying to collect food aid.
As negotiations inch forward, the humanitarian cost of delay continues to climb.
