Israel has received a formal response from Hamas regarding a new ceasefire proposal in Gaza, with local media reporting late Friday that discussions on the proposal's details are now underway. According to Israel's Channel 12, an anonymous source confirmed that mediators conveyed Hamas' "positive reaction" to the latest plan aimed at halting the war in the besieged Gaza Strip. The source added that an Israeli delegation is expected to travel to Doha soon to begin negotiations on implementing the proposal, though no official date has been set. "We have completed our internal consultations with Palestinian factions and forces regarding the mediators' latest proposal to halt the aggression against our people in Gaza," Hamas said in an official statement. Citing diplomatic sources, Channel 12 reported that negotiations in the Qatari capital would likely last no more than a day and a half. Meanwhile, Egypt has launched renewed diplomatic efforts to help finalize an agreement, with Al-Qahera el-Ekhbariya reporting that Cairo is holding intensive contacts with various parties to resume indirect talks and reach a final, mutually agreed formula. According to Israel's public broadcaster KAN, Hamas has reiterated three core demands: the return to a previous aid distribution mechanism, an extension of the initial 60-day ceasefire period, and the full withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip. The withdrawal demand is expected to be a major obstacle, with Israeli daily Israel Hayom noting that Tel Aviv is unwilling to fully evacuate the Morag Axis, a military corridor separating Rafah from Khan Younis in southern Gaza. US President Donald Trump may announce a breakthrough in the negotiations during a planned meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington next Monday, Yedioth Ahronoth reported, citing unnamed officials. Though Hamas has not disclosed the full details of the latest proposal, Israeli and American media suggest that the plan includes the phased release of 10 living Israeli hostages and the remains of 18 others, in exchange for a significant release of Palestinian detainees and a gradual Israeli military pullback from specified areas inside Gaza. The issue remains politically charged in Israel, where top officials continue to demand the disarmament of Hamas and the exile of its leadership. Meanwhile, Palestinian and Israeli rights groups have condemned the conditions faced by more than 10,400 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons, citing torture, starvation, and medical neglect. Despite mounting international pressure, Israel's military campaign in Gaza has continued unabated since Hamas' Oct. 7 attack. More than 57,200 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed, according to Gaza health authorities. The International Criminal Court last November issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice over its conduct in the war. — Agencies
