By Elham Asaad Buaras
London, (The Muslim News): A senior Hamas official said the group has agreed “in principle” to a ceasefire proposal for Gaza by US President Donald Trump.
The official added that implementation would need further negotiations and a broader Palestinian consensus.
In an interview with Qatar’s Al Jazeera network on Friday, Hamas official Mousa Abu Marzouk said the group endorses the main outlines of the 20-point plan. He clarified that “the fate of Palestinians is a national matter that Hamas alone cannot decide,” and expressed the group’s readiness to hand over its weapons to a future Palestinian state.
The Trump proposal outlines an immediate ceasefire, the release of all 48 remaining Israeli captives—of whom 20 are believed to be alive—in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, the formation of a transitional administration under an international body, and the disarmament of Hamas.
While not directly addressing disarmament, Hamas confirmed its willingness “to release all occupation captives – both living and the remains – according to the exchange formula outlined in President Trump’s proposal, with the provision of field conditions necessary for the exchange.”
The group stated it is prepared to “immediately enter negotiations through mediators to discuss the details” and to “hand over the administration of the Gaza Strip to a Palestinian body of independents (technocrats) based on Palestinian national consensus and with Arab and Islamic support.”
MOUNTING DEATH TOLL AS BOMBARDMENT CONTINUES
The announcement came during the twelfth month of Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza. The enclave’s Health Ministry reported on Friday that at least 66,288 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023.
In the past 24 hours alone, 63 bodies were brought to hospitals and 227 injuries were recorded, raising the total number of wounded to 169,165. The ministry added that “many victims are still trapped under the rubble and on the roads as rescuers are unable to reach them.”
Nearly 40 Palestinians were killed on Friday as Israeli forces struck displacement camps, residential neighbourhoods, and civilian shelters across the territory, according to medical and local sources. The Palestinian news agency Wafa provided a breakdown of the casualties, reporting that 16 bodies were transferred to Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital, 12 to Nasser Hospital, eight to Al-Shifa Medical Complex, and two to Al-Awda Hospital.
Specific incidents reported by medical sources included seven Palestinians killed in shelling on Al-Mawasi, Khan Younis, and three others who died when their vehicle was targeted in the same area. In Gaza City, two people were killed and several injured in the Sabra neighbourhood, while another person died in the Ansar district.
Elsewhere, rescue teams who came under direct fire recovered two bodies from beneath the rubble of Al-Falah School in Zeitoun, which was bombed five days earlier. In central Gaza, five displaced Palestinians—mostly children—were killed when tents at Gaza’s port were struck, and another civilian was killed in Deir al-Balah when Israeli forces shelled displacement shelters.
COLLAPSING HEALTH SYSTEM AND HOSPITAL SIEGES
Gaza’s health system continues to experience substantial challenges. A newborn died in Gaza on Friday as the health system faces severe strain. Three premature babies were evacuated from a hospital to the south with WHO coordination.
Israeli shelling cut off access to Al-Hilu Hospital on Sunday, forcing the evacuation of three premature babies.
Of four premature infants awaiting transfer, one has died, according to a hospital director. Ten other babies remain at Al-Hilu, prompting an urgent appeal to protect Gaza’s remaining hospitals and staff.
HUMANITARIAN WORKERS TARGETED
The UN reports that at least 562 aid workers, including 376 UN staff, have been killed in Gaza since October 7th, making it the deadliest conflict for humanitarian workers in modern UN history.
An Israeli strike in Deir al-Balah killed another aid worker a day earlier. The victim was Omar Hayek, a 42-year-old staff member of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). Hayek was waiting for a bus to an MSF hospital with colleagues when the attack occurred. Four other people were seriously injured.
“This was the 14th staff member from Médecins Sans Frontières to have been killed in Gaza since the start of this conflict,” said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric.
MSF identified Hayek as an occupational therapist who had worked with the organisation since 2018. In a statement, it said: “All staff were wearing MSF vests, clearly identifying them as medical humanitarian workers.” The organisation expressed “deep sorrow and outrage” over his killing.
[Photo: Explosion is seen following the Israeli attack on Omar al-Mukhtar Street of Gaza City, Gaza on October 3, 2025. Photojournalist: Saeed M. M. T. Jaras/AA]
