Trump says there could be a Gaza deal next week

US president says it was good Hamas had responded in ‘a positive spirit’

An Israeli army tank advances in the Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel. Photograph: Leo Correa/AP
An Israeli army tank advances in the Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel. Photograph: Leo Correa/AP

US president Donald Trump said on Friday it was good that Hamas said it had responded in “a positive spirit” to a US-brokered Gaza ceasefire proposal.

He told reporters aboard Air Force One there could be a deal on a Gaza ceasefire by next week but that he had not been briefed on the state of negotiations.

Hamas said it had responded on Friday in “a positive spirit” to a US-brokered Gaza ceasefire proposal and was prepared to enter into talks on implementing the deal which envisages a release of hostages and negotiations on ending the conflict.

US president Donald Trump earlier announced a “final proposal” for a 60-day ceasefire in the nearly 21-month-old war between Israel and Hamas, stating he anticipated a reply from the parties in coming hours.

Hamas says it is ready to enter ceasefire negotiations in ‘positive spirit’Opens in new window ]

On Friday evening Hamas wrote on its official website: “The movement has delivered its response to the brotherly mediators, which was characterised 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.”

Israel has received Palestinian group Hamas’ response on the Gaza ceasefire proposal with details currently being examined, Israeli media reported on Saturday, citing Israeli officials. – Reuters

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