Hamas has announced its willingness to begin immediate negotiations on a proposed ceasefire in Gaza, as Israeli military strikes continue to inflict heavy casualties.
According to Gaza's civil defence agency, more than 50 people were killed on Friday in the ongoing conflict.
In a statement released after consultations with other Palestinian factions, Hamas said, "The movement is ready to engage immediately and seriously in a cycle of negotiations on the mechanism to put in place" the terms of a draft US-backed truce proposal received from mediators.
This declaration comes ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s scheduled visit to Washington, where President Donald Trump is pressing for an end to the war, which has now lasted nearly 21 months.
Islamic Jihad, an ally of Hamas, also signalled support for the negotiations but insisted on "guarantees" that Israel "will not resume its aggression" once hostages held in Gaza are released.
The increase in assault was triggered by Hamas's unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, leading to a large-scale Israeli offensive aimed at eliminating Hamas and rescuing hostages.
According to the Israeli military, 49 of the 251 hostages taken that day remain in Gaza, including 27 believed to be dead.
A Palestinian source involved in the talks told AFP that the latest draft truce includes a 60-day ceasefire, during which Hamas would release half of the surviving Israeli captives in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners.
Netanyahu, under increasing domestic pressure over the hostages, reaffirmed his commitment to bringing them home, saying, "I feel a deep commitment, first and foremost, to ensure the return of all our abductees, all of them."
President Trump also voiced concern for civilians in Gaza, stating on Thursday, "They've gone through hell," and calling for safety for the region's population.
Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes and ground operations continue across Gaza, with reported activity in Gaza City, Khan Yunis, and Rafah. The civil defence agency reported 52 fatalities on Friday, including five people killed near a US-run aid distribution centre in Rafah and others waiting for aid at Wadi Gaza Bridge.
Gaza civil defence official Mohammad al-Mughayyir stated that additional deaths occurred from strikes on displacement camps, including eight killed near Khan Yunis and two children among several victims in coastal tent settlements.
The Israeli military confirmed the death of a 19-year-old sergeant in combat but said it was reviewing reports of civilian casualties and requested precise coordinates to verify incidents.
Despite humanitarian efforts, Gaza teeters on the edge of famine, with UN agencies warning of catastrophic conditions.
The conflict has claimed over 57,000 lives in Gaza, the majority civilians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. On the Israeli side, 1,219 people were killed in the October 2023 Hamas assault, most of them civilians, based on Israeli figures compiled by AFP.