Hamas expresses himself open to truce, but Netanyah says this group has no place in post-war Gaza

Hamas and Israel expressed their positions Wednesday on the eve of talks on Washington's call for ceasefire at the Gaza Strip.

While the militant group issued terrorist organisation by the United States and other powers hinted that it is open to an agreement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged that “would not have Hamas” in post-war Gaza.

Neither side said outright that it accepts American President Donald Trump's proposal.

Hamas insisted on its long-standing stance that any agreement should bring the end of the war to Gaza.

Trump said on Tuesday that Israel had agreed to a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza and urged Hamas to accept the agreement before the conditions for it get even worse.

The American president is stepping up pressure on the Israeli government and Hamas to reach peace compliance, hostage deals and end the war.

Trump said the 60-day time would be used to work towards the end of the war. But Israel says it will not accept the outcome of the war until Hamas has been defeated.

Trump stressed that the deal could be reached as early as next week.

But Hamas' reaction, which highlighted his request for the outcome of the war, raised questions as to whether his latest offer could actually disrupt the fighting.

Hamas official Tarher al-Nunu said the militant group is “ready and serious to reach a” agreement.

He stressed that Hamas is “willing to accept any initiative that clearly leads to full end of war”.

A Hamas delegation is expected to meet Wednesday in Cairo with mediators from Egypt and Qatar to discuss the proposal, according to an Egyptian official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Disagreement Over How War Should End

During almost 21 months of war, ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas have repeatedly failed because of disagreements on whether the war should end as part of any agreement.

Hamas has said he is willing to release the remaining 50 hostages, less than half of whom are believed to be alive, in exchange for Israel's full withdrawal from Gaza and the end of the war.

Israel says it will agree to end the war only if Hamas surrenders, disarms and leaves in exile something Hamas agrees with.

“I'm informing you that there won't be Hamas”, Netanyah said during a speech Wednesday.

An Israeli official said the latest proposal envisions a 60-day agreement that would include a partial withdrawal of Israel from Gaza and an increase of humanitarian aid to the territory.

Mediators and the US will provide guarantees for talks on ending the war, but Israel does not pledge it as part of the latest proposal, the official said. The official was not authorised to discuss details of the agreement with the media and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The Gaza war began when Hamas - led militants attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and kidnapping 251 others, according to Israeli officials.

The Ministry of Health in Gaza says the Israeli war after 7 October has killed over 57,000 Palestinians.

The war has also caused a famine, displaced Gaza's entire population, and prompted charges of genocide at the International Court of Justice and War Crimes at the International Criminal Court.

Israel denies these accusations. / REL/Periscope/