• Hamas has submitted a "positive response" to a US-brokered ceasefire proposal for Gaza.
• The proposed deal includes a phased release of hostages and could lead to a 60-day truce.
• Israeli airstrikes have resulted in significant casualties even as negotiations progress.

Hamas announced on Friday that it has issued a "positive response" to a US-brokered ceasefire proposal, expressing readiness to engage in negotiations for its implementation. President Donald Trump indicated that an agreement could potentially be reached by next week. The proposal envisages a phased release of 10 living Israeli hostages and the remains of 18 others during a 60-day ceasefire, along with Israeli troop withdrawals from certain areas in Gaza, according to reports from various media outlets including aa, dawn, and reuters.

The ceasefire proposal requires guarantees for safe passage of humanitarian aid and a halt to hostilities. During the negotiations, Israel has insisted on Hamas's disarmament, while Hamas demands the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. Despite these negotiations, casualties continue to rise; local health officials reported that at least 20 Palestinians died due to Israeli airstrikes, including in a strike on a tent camp for displaced individuals, according to sources from indiatimes and aa.

As the situation evolves, Egyptian and Qatari mediators continue to seek consensus among involved parties regarding the ceasefire framework. The response from Hamas has raised hopes for a possible breakthrough, as stated in reports from aljazeera and newsweek. Israeli media has noted that a delegation may travel to Doha soon for further discussions regarding the proposal's implementation, reflecting the complexities that remain as noted by aa and dawn.