Hamas mentioned on Friday (May 30, 2025) it was still reviewing a U.S. proposal for a short-term ceasefire within the Gaza Strip, the place 27 folks have been killed in new Israeli airstrikes, in keeping with hospital officers.
The ceasefire plan, which has been authorised by Israeli officers, received a cool preliminary response on Thursday (May 29, 2025) from the militant group. But President Donald Trump mentioned on Friday (May 30, 2025) negotiators have been nearing a deal.
“They’re very close to an agreement on Gaza, and we’ll let you know about it during the day or maybe tomorrow,” Mr. Trump advised reporters in Washington. Late within the night, requested if he was assured Hamas would approve the deal, he advised reporters: “They’re in a big mess. I think they want to get out of it.”
U.S. negotiators haven’t publicized the phrases of the proposal. But a Hamas official and an Egyptian official, talking on situation of anonymity to debate the delicate talks, mentioned on Thursday (May 29, 2025) that it referred to as for a 60-day pause in combating, ensures of significant negotiations resulting in a long-term truce and assurances that Israel is not going to resume hostilities after the discharge of hostages, as it did in March.
In a terse assertion issued a few hours earlier than Mr. Trump spoke, Hamas mentioned it is holding consultations with Palestinian factions over the proposal it had acquired from U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff.
A United Nations spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, urged the events to “find the political courage” to safe an settlement.
While adjustments could have been made to the proposal, the model confirmed earlier referred to as for Israeli forces to tug again to the positions they held earlier than it ended the final ceasefire. Hamas would launch 10 dwelling hostages and a variety of our bodies in the course of the 60-day pause in change for greater than 1,100 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel, together with 100 serving lengthy sentences after being convicted of lethal assaults.
Each day, a whole bunch of vehicles carrying meals and humanitarian help could be allowed to enter Gaza, the place specialists say a almost three-month Israeli blockade — barely eased in current days — has pushed the inhabitants to the brink of famine.
“Negotiations are ongoing on the current proposal,” Qatar’s ambassador to the United Nations, Alya Ahmed Saif Al-Thani mentioned on Friday (May 30, 2025), referring to talks between her nation, the United States and Egypt. “We are very determined to find an ending to this horrific situation in Gaza.”
On Thursday (May 29, 2025), a high Hamas official, Bassem Naim, mentioned the U.S. proposal “does not respond to any of our people’s demands, foremost among which is stopping the war and famine.”
The uncertainty over the brand new proposal got here as hospital officers mentioned that 27 folks had been killed on Friday (May 30, 2025) in separate airstrikes. A strike that hit a tent within the southern metropolis of Khan Younis killed 13, together with eight youngsters, hospital officers mentioned. The Israeli navy didn’t instantly remark.
Meanwhile, the our bodies of 12 folks, together with three ladies, have been dropped at Shifa Hospital on Friday (May 30, 2025) from the close by Jabaliya refugee camp. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society mentioned the our bodies of two others have been dropped at a hospital in Gaza City.
Hospital officers additionally mentioned on Friday (May 30, 2025) that at the very least 72 had been killed in Gaza throughout the day gone by. That determine doesn’t embody some hospitals within the north, that are largely minimize off as a result of combating.
Since the battle started, greater than 54,000 Gaza residents, principally ladies and youngsters, have been killed in keeping with the Gaza Health Ministry, which doesn’t distinguish between civilians and combatants in its tally.
The battle started when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing round 1,200 folks, most of them civilians, and taking 250 hostages. Of these taken captive, 58 stay in Gaza, however Israel believes 35 are lifeless and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has mentioned there are “doubts” concerning the destiny of a number of others.
Some Gaza residents mentioned their hope for a ceasefire is tempered by repeated disappointment over negotiations that did not ship a lasting deal.
“This is the war of starvation, death, siege and long lines for food and toilets,” Mohammed Abed advised The Associated Press within the central Gaza metropolis of Deir al-Balah. “This war is the 2025 nightmare, 2024 nightmare and 2023 nightmare.”
Mr. Abed mentioned he and his household battle to search out meals, ready three hours to get a small quantity of rice and consuming just one meal every day.
“It’s heartbreaking that people are being starved because of politics. Food and water should not be used for political purposes,” he mentioned.
Another Gaza resident, Mohammed Mreil, mentioned about the potential of a truce that: “We want to live, and we want them (Israelis) to live. God did not create us to die.”
Published – May 31, 2025 09:23 am IST
