Hamas responds to Trump ceasefire proposal in a 'positive spirit'

Hamas said Friday that it has responded to the White House’s ceasefire proposal between the Palestinian militant group and Israel in a “positive spirit” and is ready to start negotiations on implementing the plan.

“The Hamas movement has completed its internal consultations as well as discussions with Palestinian factions and forces regarding the latest proposal by the mediators to halt the aggression against our people in Gaza,” Hamas wrote in a statement on its official website.

“The movement has delivered its response to the brotherly [Qatari and Egyptian] mediators, which was characterized by a positive spirit. Hamas is fully prepared, with all seriousness, to immediately enter a new round of negotiations on the mechanism for implementing this framework.”

It was not clear if Hamas’ statement meant it had accepted the proposal from President Trump for a 60-day ceasefire. Hamas has been seeking guarantees that the initial truce would lead to a total end to the war, now nearly 21 months old. Mr. Trump has been pushing hard for a deal to be reached, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is due to visit the White House next week to discuss a deal.

Hamas did not elaborate on what issues needed to be worked out.

But an official close to the talks said Hamas had several requests — that Israeli troops in Gaza pull back to positions it held on March 2 before it broke the previous ceasefire; that aid flow into Gaza in sufficient quantities through the U.N. and other international humanitarian agencies; and that negotiations continue beyond 60 days if needed to reach a deal for a permanent end to the war and the release of all remaining hostages.

Hamas released the statement hours after Mr. Trump said he would know within a day where Hamas stood on his ceasefire proposal.

The president made his statement late Thursday after announcing that Israel agreed to the “necessary conditions” to finalize a 60-day ceasefire with the terrorist group.

“My Representatives had a long and productive meeting with the Israelis today on Gaza,” he posted Tuesday on social media. “Israel has agreed to the necessary conditions to finalize the 60 Day CEASEFIRE, during which time we will work with all parties to end the War.”

When asked by a reporter Thursday night if Hamas had agreed to the proposition, Mr. Trump replied, “We’ll see what happens. We are going to know over the next 24 hours.”

Previous rounds of negotiations have hit a dead-end over Hamas’ demands for guarantees that further negotiations would lead to the war’s end, while Mr. Netanyahu has insisted Israel would resume fighting to ensure the destruction of the militant group.

• This story is based in part on wire service reports.