Hamas signals readiness for immediate ceasefire talks as Gaza toll rises

Hamas announced on Friday its willingness to engage in ceasefire talks “immediately” amid Israel’s ongoing military offensive in Gaza, which has claimed over 50 lives in a single day, according to Gaza’s civil defense agency. The conflict, now in its 21st month, has left the region grappling with severe humanitarian challenges.

Hamas and allies open to truce negotiations

Following consultations with other Palestinian factions, Hamas stated its readiness to negotiate on the implementation of a US-backed ceasefire proposal mediated by international actors. The statement comes ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's scheduled visit to Washington, where US President Donald Trump has been pressing for an end to hostilities.

Hamas ally Islamic Jihad expressed conditional support for truce negotiations, demanding guarantees that Israel would not resume military operations after the release of hostages held in Gaza.

The conflict began on October 7, 2023, with a large-scale Hamas attack on Israel. The Israeli government responded with a prolonged military campaign aimed at dismantling Hamas and securing the release of hostages. The latest proposals reportedly include a 60-day ceasefire, during which Hamas would release half of the remaining Israeli captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

Netanyahu under pressure over hostages

Facing growing domestic criticism over the fate of the hostages, Netanyahu reiterated his commitment to securing their release. “I feel a deep commitment... to ensure the return of all our abductees, all of them,” he said on Friday.

Of the 251 hostages taken during the October 2023 attack, 49 remain in Gaza, with the Israeli military reporting that 27 of them are deceased. Two previous ceasefires brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States briefly halted the fighting and facilitated prisoner exchanges.

Mounting casualties and escalating operations

Gaza’s civil defense agency reported 52 deaths on Friday due to Israeli airstrikes and gunfire targeting multiple locations across the territory, including Gaza City, Khan Yunis, and Rafah. Among the casualties were civilians waiting for aid at a US-run distribution site and displaced individuals sheltering in tents near Khan Yunis.

The humanitarian toll in Gaza continues to worsen, with over two million residents suffering from what the United Nations describes as “catastrophic conditions.” Aid agencies, including Doctors Without Borders (MSF), have called for an end to the violence. MSF recently confirmed the death of its 12th staff member in the conflict.

The Israeli military stated that its operations aim to dismantle Hamas’s military infrastructure. However, media restrictions and limited access to affected areas have made it challenging to independently verify casualty figures.

Humanitarian crisis deepens

The United Nations has warned that Gaza is on the brink of famine as aid distribution centers become increasingly dangerous. Civilian casualties near these sites have sparked outrage, with mourners at Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis grieving the deaths of 16 people killed near an aid center on Thursday.

MSF and other organizations have urged accountability for attacks on civilians and aid workers, emphasizing the need for immediate humanitarian relief.

The broader impact of the conflict

The October 2023 Hamas attack resulted in 1,219 deaths, mostly civilians, according to Israeli figures. In retaliation, Israel’s military campaign has killed at least 57,268 people in Gaza, the majority of whom are civilians, according to the territory’s health ministry. These figures have been deemed reliable by the United Nations.

As both sides weigh the possibility of a truce, the toll on lives and infrastructure underscores the urgent need for a durable resolution to the conflict.