US President Donald Trump welcomed what he described as a “positive spirit” in Hamas’s response to a proposed Gaza ceasefire deal, suggesting that a breakthrough could be imminent.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Friday, Trump said, “It’s good that Hamas said it had responded in a positive spirit.” He noted that a deal could be reached “by next week,” though he admitted he had not yet been briefed on the current state of negotiations.

Hamas responds positevly to mediators' proposal

The comments come as Hamas formally submitted its reply to a recently updated ceasefire proposal brokered by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt. Palestinian officials described the response as “constructive” and indicated it could help pave the way toward a final agreement to end the war on Gaza.

The proposal is reportedly rooted in the Witkoff Plan and calls for a 60-day truce, phased Israeli military withdrawals, the exchange of captives and bodies, and extended negotiations aimed at reaching a permanent settlement.

Read more: Hamas gives positive response to US-mediated Gaza ceasefire: Reuters

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The proposed ceasefire would see a phased release of captives held by the Resistance, beginning with 8 live captives on the first day and additional releases on days 50 and 60, alongside the return of 18 bodies. In exchange, "Israel" would begin withdrawing its forces from northern and southern Gaza under UN and Red Crescent oversight. Technical teams would work on boundary demarcations, while humanitarian aid would begin flowing immediately.

Longer-term arrangements, set to begin on day one of the truce, include defining terms for further prisoner exchanges, negotiating a permanent ceasefire, determining Gaza's future security framework, and establishing international guarantees. Mediators would ensure compliance and could extend the truce if substantial progress is made.

Crucially, Hamas has demanded that any agreement must include an end to Israeli aggression, a full military withdrawal from Gaza, and unobstructed humanitarian access, objectives it has described as necessary for justice and Palestinian self-determination.

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Netanyahu to visit White House, amid advanced talks

The development comes just days before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to visit Washington for high-level talks with President Trump. US officials have signaled increased pressure on the Israeli government to agree to the terms and move forward with a ceasefire, particularly in light of growing international condemnation over the scale of destruction in Gaza.

Two previous ceasefire agreements, brokered by the same mediators, led to brief pauses and limited prisoner exchanges, but both were ultimately shattered by renewed Israeli military aggression on Gaza.

While “Israel” has yet to formally endorse the proposal, Hamas has reiterated its readiness to negotiate implementation details immediately and emphasized the need for a full withdrawal, humanitarian aid access, and a permanent end to Israeli aggression.

Read more: UN sounds alarm over Gaza humanitarian collapse amid Israeli blockade