Israel Signals Readiness for Gaza Truce as Hamas Reviews New Ceasefire Proposals
Israeli FM Sa'ar confirms Israel serious on hostage/ceasefire deal, positively views US proposals. Hamas reviews ceasefire terms. Netanyahu vows to eradicate Hamas ("It is over"), despite Trump confirming Israel's ceasefire agreement.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar on Wednesday declared that Israel is earnestly pursuing an agreement with Hamas to end the Gaza conflict and facilitate the return of hostages, marking a potential turning point in the months-long war.
“We are serious in our desire to reach an agreement regarding the hostages and a ceasefire,” Sa’ar stated, confirming that Israel has responded positively to the ceasefire proposals submitted by U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.
“There are some positive indicators,” he added. “I don’t want to say more at this point. But our goal is to start indirect talks as soon as possible.”
His comments come as the Palestinian group Hamas announced it was reviewing a new set of proposals presented by mediators, aimed at achieving a comprehensive ceasefire and securing the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.
In a statement released earlier Wednesday, Hamas declared: “We are dealing with a high level of responsibility and holding national consultations to discuss the proposals we received from the mediators, with the aim of reaching an agreement that guarantees an end to the aggression, ensures withdrawal, and provides urgent relief for our people in Gaza.”
Despite this diplomatic movement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu adopted a starkly uncompromising tone in parallel remarks, vowing to eradicate Hamas in his first public response since U.S. President Donald Trump proposed a 60-day ceasefire initiative.
“There will be no Hamas. There will be no Hamastan. We will not return to that. It is over,” Netanyahu said during a cabinet session on Wednesday.
Trump confirmed on Tuesday that Israel had agreed to the conditions of the ceasefire proposal offered by Washington, a move seen as a key step toward halting hostilities and restarting negotiations.
The remarks from both sides underline a dual-track dynamic of dialogue and confrontation, reflecting the complexity of the situation as diplomatic channels continue to push for a resolution.
