Gaza: Hamas says it is consulting other groups on ceasefire plan
How did your country report this? Share your view in the comments.
Diverging Reports Breakdown
Hamas consulting with other Palestinian groups on ceasefire – Report — Daily Nigerian
Militant organisation Hamas is consulting with other Palestinian factions about new proposals from mediators aimed at reaching a ceasefire in the Gaza war. The United States, Egypt, and Qatar, mediators in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, have recently presented a proposal for a 60-day ceasefire. The New York Times, citing an Israeli defence official and a Palestinian close to Hamas, reported that the proposed deal includes the release of 10 living hostages and the return of 18 hostages’ bodies.
“In the context of the movement’s commitment to ending the Zionist aggression against our people and ensuring the free entry of humanitarian aid, the movement is conducting consultations with the leaders of Palestinian forces and factions around the proposal it received from the brotherly mediators,” Al Jazeera cited a statement by Hamas as saying.
“The movement will submit a final decision to the mediators after the consultations are over and will announce that officially.”
The United States, Egypt, and Qatar, mediators in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, have recently presented a proposal for a 60-day ceasefire in the Gaza war.
U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday said Israel had agreed to the necessary conditions for the ceasefire to be finalised.
On Wednesday, Hamas said it would examine the proposal “with great responsibility.”
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, also commenting on Wednesday, said most of the Israeli government backs a Gaza agreement that includes the release of hostages.
The details of the new ceasefire proposal were not initially made public, but the New York Times, citing an Israeli defence official and a Palestinian close to Hamas, reported that the proposed deal includes the release of 10 living hostages and the return of 18 hostages’ bodies in exchange for the release of a number of Palestinians held in Israeli jails.
According to official Israeli figures, 50 people kidnapped from Israel are still being held in the Gaza Strip, at least 20 of whom are believed to still be alive.
The release of the hostages and the return of the bodies are to take place in stages, in five groups over a period of 60 days, the newspaper reported.
The war was triggered by the attack on Israel by Hamas and other groups on Oct. 7, 2023, in which around 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 were taken hostage and brought to Gaza.
Since the Gaza war began nearly 21 months ago, more than 57,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed, according to the health authority.
These figures do not distinguish between civilians and combatants but are generally considered reliable by international agencies.
dpa/NAN
Gaza aid contractor tells BBC he saw colleagues fire on hungry Palestinians
Gaza aid contractor tells BBC he saw colleagues fire on hungry Palestinians. On one occasion, he said, a guard had opened fire from a watchtower with a machine gun because a group of women, children and elderly people was moving too slowly away from the site. When asked to respond the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) said the allegations were categorically false. The GHF began its operations in Gaza at the end of May, distributing limited aid from several sites in southern and central Gaza. That followed an 11-week total blockade of Gaza by Israel during which no food entered the territory. The system has been widely criticised for forcing vast numbers of people to walk through active combat zones to a handful of sites. Since the GHF started up, Israeli forces have killed more than 400 Palestinians trying to retrieve food aid from its sites, the UN and local doctors say. Israel says the new distribution system stops aid going to Hamas.
16 hours ago Share Save Lucy Williamson BBC Middle East correspondent Reporting from Jerusalem Share Save
Watch footage shared with BBC from inside Gaza aid operation
A former security contractor for Gaza’s controversial new Israel- and US-backed aid distribution sites has told the BBC that he witnessed colleagues opening fire several times on hungry Palestinians who had posed no threat, including with machine guns. On one occasion, he said, a guard had opened fire from a watchtower with a machine gun because a group of women, children and elderly people was moving too slowly away from the site. When asked to respond the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) said the allegations were categorically false. They referred us to a statement saying that no civilians ever came under fire at the GHF distribution sites.
The GHF began its operations in Gaza at the end of May, distributing limited aid from several sites in southern and central Gaza. That followed an 11-week total blockade of Gaza by Israel during which no food entered the territory. The system has been widely criticised for forcing vast numbers of people to walk through active combat zones to a handful of sites. Since the GHF started up, Israeli forces have killed more than 400 Palestinians trying to retrieve food aid from its sites, the UN and local doctors say. Israel says the new distribution system stops aid going to Hamas.
Continuing his description of the incident at one of the GHF sites – in which he said guards fired on a group of Palestinians – the former contractor said: “As that happened, another contractor on location, standing on the berm overlooking the exit, opened up with 15 to 20 shots of repetitive weapons fire at the crowd. “A Palestinian man dropped to the ground motionless. And then the other contractor who was standing there was like, ‘damn, I think you got one’. And then they laughed about it.” The contractor, who spoke to us on condition of anonymity, said GHF managers had brushed off his report as a coincidence, suggesting that the Palestinian man could have “tripped” or been “tired and passed out”. The GHF claimed the man who made these allegations is a “disgruntled former contractor” who they had terminated for misconduct, which he denies. He showed us evidence that he left the post on good terms.
SUPPLIED Supplied footage showed long queues of aid seekers in a fenced corridor
The man we spoke to, who said he had worked at all four of the GHF distribution sites, described a culture of impunity with few rules or controls. He said contractors were given no clear rules of engagement or standard operating procedures, and were told by one team leader: “if you feel threatened, shoot – shoot to kill and ask questions later”. The culture in the company, he said, felt like “we’re going into Gaza so it’s no rules. Do what you want.” “If a Palestinian is walking away from the site and not demonstrating any hostile intent, and we’re shooting warning shots at them regardless, we are wrong, we are criminally negligent,” he told me. He told us that each site had CCTV monitoring the activity in the area, and GHF insistence that no one there had been hurt or shot at was “an absolute bare-faced lie”. GHF said that gunfire heard in footage shared with the BBC was coming from Israeli forces. Team leaders referred to Gazans as “zombie hordes”, the former contractor said, “insinuating that these people have no value.” The man also said Palestinians were coming to harm in other ways at GHF sites, for example by being hit by debris from stun grenades, being sprayed with mace or being pushed by the crowds into razor wire. He said he had witnessed several occasions in which Palestinians appeared to have been seriously hurt, including one man who had a full can of pepper spray in his face, and a woman who he said was hit with the metal part of a stun grenade, improperly fired into a crowd. “This metal piece hit her directly in the head and she dropped to the ground, not moving,” he said. “I don’t know if she was dead. I know for a fact she was unconscious and completely limp.”
Reuters The GHF operation has been criticised for forcing people to walk through active combat zones
Hamas says it is consulting other Palestinian groups on Gaza ceasefire as Trump expects decision ‘within 24 hours’
Hamas says it is consulting other Palestinian groups on Gaza ceasefire as Trump expects decision ‘within 24 hours’ US President Donald Trump said on Friday morning that he would know in 24 hours whether Hamas has agreed to the plan. At least 15 Palestinians were killed overnight in strikes on two tents housing displaced people in Khan Younis – the local Nasser hospital said. Israeli military has not yet commented on the strikes but it did say its military were “operating to dismantle Hamas military capabilities” The ceasefire plan is understood to include the staggered release of 10 living Israeli hostages and the bodies of 18 other hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli prisons. One of Hamas’ core requirements is the delivery of unrestricted food and medical aid into Gaza. It is reported that the plan would also include a phased Israeli military withdrawal from parts of Gaza. Around 1,200 people were killed and 251 others taken in the October 7 attacks.
US President Donald Trump said on Friday morning that he would know in 24 hours whether Hamas has agreed to the plan. Picture: Alamy
By Shannon Cook
Hamas says it is consulting other Palestinian groups before giving a formal response to the latest proposal for a new Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal proposed by the US.
Listen to this article Loading audio…
US President Donald Trump said on Friday morning that he would know in 24 hours whether Hamas has agreed to the plan.
On Tuesday, Trump said Israel had accepted the conditions necessary for a 60-day ceasefire.
During this period, the parties would consider how to end the war.
The Israeli military is continuing its targeted attacks across the Gaza Strip.
Local journalists reported hearing explosions and gunfire as Israeli helicopter gunships and artillery struck the southern Khan Younis area on Friday morning.
Read more: US contractors at Gaza aid group accused of ‘firing live rounds at hungry Palestinians’ outside distribution centres
Read more: Donald Trump claims Israel has ‘agreed’ to 60-day ceasefire in Gaza as he urges Hamas to accept deal
Trump says Israel has agreed on terms for 60-day ceasefire in Gaza
At least 15 Palestinians were killed overnight in strikes on two tents housing displaced people in Khan Younis – the local Nasser hospital said.
The Israeli military has not yet commented on the strikes but it did say its military were “operating to dismantle Hamas military capabilities”.
In a statement released early on Friday, Hamas said it was discussing with the leaders of other Palestinian factions the ceasefire plan it had received from regional mediators Qatar and Egypt.
Hamas said it would confirm a “final decision” to the mediators after the consultations had ended and then announce it officially.
At least 15 Palestinians were killed overnight in strikes on two tents housing displaced people in Khan Younis – the local Nasser hospital said. Picture: Alamy
The ceasefire plan is understood to include the staggered release of 10 living Israeli hostages and the bodies of 18 other hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli prisons.
There are fifty hostages being held in Gaza, with 20 of these thought to be alive.
One of Hamas’ core requirements is the delivery of unrestricted food and medical aid into Gaza.
The ceasefire proposal allegedly says sufficient quantities would enter the territory immediately with the support of the United Nations and Red Cross.
It is reported that the plan would also include a phased Israeli military withdrawal from parts of Gaza.
The ceasefire proposal allegedly says sufficient quantities would enter the territory immediately with the support of the United Nations and Red Cross. Picture: Alamy
Hamas calls for a guarantee that Israeli air and ground operations will not resume after the end of the 60-day ceasefire.
The ceasefire proposal is understood to detail negotiations on an end to the war and the release of the remaining hostages would begin on day one.
US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee told Israel’s Channel 12 TV on Thursday: “We sure hope it’s a done deal, but I think it’s all going to be what Hamas is willing to accept.
“One thing is clear: The president wants it to be over. The prime minister wants it to be over. The American people, the Israeli people, want it to be over.”
Meanwhile, Benjamin Netanyahu promised to secure the release of all remaining hostages during his visit to Kibbutz Nir Oz – a community close to the Israel-Gaza border where 76 residents were abducted during the 7 October 2023 attacks led by Hamas.
Netanyahu said: “I feel a deep commitment, first of all, to ensure the return of all of our hostages, all of them.
“We will bring them all back.”
However, he did not commit to ending the war and has said this won’t happen until the hostages are released and Hamas’ military and governing operations are dismantled.
Around 1,200 people were killed and 251 others taken hostage in the October 7 attacks.
The Israeli military launched a campaign in Gaza in response to the attack.
The territory’s Hamas-run health ministry have said at least 57,130 people have been killed in Gaza since then.
Israeli, US-backed Gaza aid group must end, say 170 charities
US-Israeli backed Gaza aid group must be shut down, say 170 charities. “We’ve offered to help them deliver it safely. They’ve refused,” says GHF. “It is killing people,” says UN Secretary-General António Guterres. “They are now too weak to compete,” says U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. “There is no place for them in our world,” says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “This is not a place for us,” says the U.N. secretary-general. “These are not our people,” he says of the aid groups. “You are not allowed to kill them,” he adds. “If you want to kill people, you must kill them in a way that is consistent with the rules of the game,” says Israel’s prime minister. “No one is allowed to shoot at people who need it, bypassing Hamas interference,” Israel’s president says.
Israel denies its soldiers deliberately shoot at aid recipients and says the GHF’s system provides direct assistance to people who need it, bypassing Hamas interference.
The organisations, including Oxfam and Save the Children, say Israeli forces and armed groups “routinely” open fire on Palestinians seeking aid.
More than 500 Palestinians have been killed while seeking aid since the GHF started operating in late May, when Israel partially eased an 11-week total blockade, a joint statement says.
More than 170 charities and other NGOs are calling for the controversial aid distribution scheme in Gaza run by the Israel- and US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) to be shut down.
The GHF said it had delivered more than 52 million meals in five weeks and that other organisations “stand by helplessly as their aid is looted”.
Tuesday’s joint statement from some of the world’s biggest charities and NGOs says the GHF is violating all norms of humanitarian work, including by forcing two million people into overcrowded and militarised zones where they face daily gunfire.
Since the GHF started operating in Gaza, there have been almost daily reports of Israeli forces killing people seeking aid at these sites, from medics, eyewitnesses and the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry.
On Tuesday, the ministry reported that a total of 583 people had been killed while seeking aid since 26 May, including 408 near the GHF’s distribution centres.
The GHF’s system replaced 400 aid distribution points that were operating during the last temporary Israel-Hamas ceasefire with just four distribution sites located in Israeli militarised zones and run by US private security contractors – three in the far south-west of Gaza and one in central Gaza.
“Today, Palestinians in Gaza face an impossible choice: starve or risk being shot while trying desperately to reach food to feed their families,” the NGOs warn in their joint statement.
“Orphaned children and caregivers are among the dead, with children harmed in over half of the attacks on civilians at these sites.”
In response to the criticism, a GHF spokesperson said: “We’ve delivered more than 52 million meals in just five weeks. Not talking points, not headlines, but food reaching Palestinian families every single day.”
“Meanwhile, other organisations stand by helplessly as their aid is looted. We’ve offered to help them deliver it safely. They’ve refused.”
They added: “The humanitarian community must return to its core mission – feeding people – not protecting outdated systems or avoiding the discomfort of change.”
On Friday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called the GHF’s aid distribution system “inherently unsafe”, adding: “It is killing people.”
From the start the UN has opposed the plan, saying it would “militarise” aid, bypass the existing UN-led distribution network and force Gazans to make long journeys through dangerous territory to get food.
The Israeli military has said it is examining reports of civilians being “harmed” while approaching GHF aid distribution centres.
According to a report by Israeli newspaper Haaretz on Friday, unnamed Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers said they were ordered to shoot at unarmed civilians near aid distribution sites to drive them away or disperse them.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly rejected the report, calling the allegations “malicious falsehoods”.
The Israeli military also denied allegations of deliberately firing at Palestinians waiting to collect humanitarian aid.
In a statement on Monday, the IDF said it was reorganising access to the sites and this would include new “fencing” and signposting, including directional and warning signs in order to improve the operational response.
The GHF said in response to the Haaretz story that “there have been no incidents or fatalities at or in the immediate vicinity of any of our distribution sites”.
The 170-plus NGOs said the GHF’s system was “not a humanitarian response” for the Gazans.
“Amidst severe hunger and famine-like conditions, many families tell us they are now too weak to compete for food rations,” the groups said.
The Israeli military launched a campaign in Gaza in response to Hamas’s 7 October 2023 attack on Israel, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage.
At least 56,647 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the territory’s health ministry.
What we know about Iran’s attack on US base in Qatar
What we know about Iran’s attack on US base in Qatar. Donald Trump described the attack as “very weak” and “expected”, and suggested peace in the region could proceed. On Tuesday, the US president announced a ceasefire between Israel and Iran had come into effect. There were indications on Monday that the US suspected Iran was preparing to launch missiles into Qatar. Hours before the attack, Qatar said it was temporarily closing its airspace, shortly after the US and UK told citizens in Qatar to “helter in place” The US had previously warned Iran not to respond to its strikes on nuclear facilities and urged leaders in Tehran to agree to a diplomatic end to hostilities in the area. The attack was first confirmed by Iranian state media, and later by the military. It became apparent soon afterwards that Iran had given warning that it was launching missiles. Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that Iran did not harm anyone in the attack but that his country would not “submit to anyone’s violation” Iran said six missiles were fired; the US said 14, and Qatar was reported by Reuters as saying 19.
24 June 2025 Share Save Share Save
Video shows air defences over Qatar as Iran attacks US base
Sean Seddon & Gabriela Pomeroy BBC News
Iran launched missiles at a US military base in Qatar on Monday, in what it said was retaliation for American strikes against its nuclear sites over the weekend. Witnesses reported hearing loud bangs in the sky above the capital, Doha, while videos showed bright flashes in the sky as air defence systems attempted to intercept missiles. Donald Trump described the attack as “very weak” and “expected”, and suggested peace in the region could proceed. On Tuesday, the US president announced a ceasefire between Israel and Iran had come into effect. Here is what we know.
What did Iran target and why?
Iranian missiles targeted the largest US military base in the Middle East, Al-Udeid, in what it said was a response to the US bombing three of its nuclear programme facilities on Saturday evening. Al-Udeid is home to the US military’s headquarters for all air operations in the region. Some British military personnel also serve there on rotation. Iran launches missiles at US base in Qatar in response to strikes The attack was first confirmed by Iranian state media, and later by the military. A statement from the IRGC, the most powerful branch of the Iranian military, said that “Iran will not leave any attack on its sovereignty unanswered”, and added: “US bases in the region are not strengths but vulnerabilities.” The US had previously warned Iran not to respond to its strikes on nuclear facilities and urged leaders in Tehran to agree to a diplomatic end to hostilities in the region. There were differing reports about how many missiles were fired. Iran said six, the US said 14, and Qatar was reported by Reuters as saying 19 – all of which, it added, were intercepted. No one has been reported killed or injured. In the hours before the attack, both the US and UK had advised their citizens in Qatar to “shelter in place”. About 8,000 US citizens live in Qatar, according to the State Department, as well as several thousand British citizens.
What was said after the attack
It became apparent soon afterwards that Iran had given warning that it was preparing to launch missiles. Three Iranian officials quoted by the New York Times said that Tehran had told Doha of its intentions, as a way to minimise casualties. In his first comments in the aftermath, President Donald Trump thanked Iran “for giving us early notice, which made it possible for no lives to be lost, and nobody to be injured”. He branded the attack “very weak” – no Americans were harmed and very little damage was done, he said. “They’ve gotten it all out of their system,” he added and said there was now a chance for “peace”. Nevertheless, a spokesman for Qatar’s foreign ministry said the attack was a “surprise” and a “flagrant violation of its sovereignty”, and added that Qatar “was one of the first countries to warn against the dangers of Israeli escalation in the region”. Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei meanwhile said that Iran did not harm anyone in the attack but that his country would not “submit to anyone’s violation”. “We have not violated anyone, and we will in no way accept being violated by anyone. We will not submit to anyone’s violation; this is the logic of the Iranian nation,” he said on X (as translated by BBC Persian). On Tuesday, Israel publicly agreed to Trump’s ceasefire proposal while Iran said it would only stop its attacks if Israel did the same. Iranian state media announced the country had fired “a last round of missiles” towards Israel before the ceasefire began. Meanwhile, the Israeli government issued a warning to Iran: “Israel will respond forcefully to any violation of the ceasefire.”
What were the signs that the attack was imminent?
There were indications on Monday that the US suspected Iran was preparing to launch missiles into Qatar. Hours before the attack, Qatar said it was temporarily closing its airspace, shortly after the US and UK told citizens in Qatar to “shelter in place”. Those warnings did not give a clear indication an attack was imminent: the US said it issued the order “out of an abundance of caution”, while the UK said it was following the lead of the Americans. However, around an hour before the attack, the BBC learned of “a credible threat” to the base. Separately, some US media outlets quoted anonymous US officials as saying Iranian missile launchers had been positioned for a potential launch towards Qatar. Flight tracking websites showed planes had already started diverting to other airports before the launch. According to Flightradar24, there were 100 flights bound for Doha shortly before missile launches were detected. Hamad International Airport is one of the world’s top 10 busiest for international traffic, with around 140,000 passengers passing through per day. Other countries in the region, including Bahrain and Kuwait, also closed their airspace for a brief period.
How did we get here?