Hamas is seeking guarantees that the new US proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza will bring the war to an end, a source close to the organization said today. In contrast, health officials said Israeli strikes in several parts of the enclave had claimed dozens of lives.

Israeli officials said the prospects for reaching an agreement on a ceasefire and a deal for hostages appeared high, nearly 21 months after the war between Israel and Hamas began.

On the ground, Israeli strikes across Gaza continued with unabated intensity, resulting in at least 59 people losing their lives today, according to health authorities in the enclave.

Ceasefire efforts in Gaza have gained momentum after the US secured a ceasefire in the 12-day air war between Israel and Iran.

On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump said Israel was ready to agree to finalise the terms of a 60-day ceasefire proposal with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, during which the sides would seek to end the war.

Hamas is seeking clear guarantees that the ceasefire will ultimately lead to an end to the war, the source close to the organization said. Two Israeli officials stated that those details were still being finalized.

Ending the war has been the main thorn in repeated rounds of failed negotiations.

Another source with knowledge of the matter said Israel expects Hamas’ response by Friday and that if it is positive, an Israeli mission will join the indirect talks to solidify the deal. It is not clear whether these could take place in Egypt or Qatar, the two countries mediating the talks.

Israel: Readiness to move forward with a deal

The proposal includes the release of 10 Israeli hostages alive and the return of the bodies of 18 others in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, according to sources. Of the 50 remaining hostages in Gaza, 20 are believed to be still alive.

A senior Israeli official close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said preparations are underway to approve a ceasefire agreement, and the prime minister is due to travel to Washington to meet Trump on Monday.

Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen, who sits on Netanyahu’s security council, told the Ynet website that there is “definitely readiness to move forward with an agreement.”

Meanwhile, in the Palestinian enclave, at least 17 people were killed in an Israeli strike on a school in Gaza City where displaced families had taken refuge, according to health officials.

“Suddenly, the tent collapsed on us, and a fire broke out. We don’t know what happened,” Wafa al-Arkan, an eyewitness, told Reuters. “What can we do? Is it fair that all these children are burning?”

Health officials at Nasser hospital, further south, said at least 20 people were killed by Israeli fire en route to an aid distribution point.

The Israeli army said it was looking into the reports and that its forces were taking precautionary measures to ensure civilians were less affected.