July 6, 2025 — CAIRO / TEL AVIV
A group called Hamas says it is ready to talk about peace. On Friday, they replied to a peace plan suggested by the United States to help stop the fighting between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
Hamas said they answered the offer in a “positive spirit”, which means they want to try and work things out.
🤝 What’s the Peace Plan?
U.S. President Donald Trump shared a plan earlier this week. He wants a 60-day pause in the war—this is called a ceasefire.
During this time, both sides are supposed to:
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Stop fighting
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Return some hostages (people taken during the war)
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Talk about ending the war for good
Trump said he was hopeful and that something good might happen next week.
🗣️ What Did Hamas Say?
Hamas wrote on their website that they:
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Talked to their own people and groups in Gaza
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Gave their answer to the peace helpers (countries like Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S.)
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Are ready to start talks immediately to make the plan happen
But some Palestinian leaders still have worries.
They want more help for people in Gaza, better ways to cross into Egypt, and a clear schedule for when Israeli soldiers will leave their land.
🇮🇱 What About Israel?
Israel hasn’t said much yet.
Their Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, will meet with Trump in the U.S. on Monday.
Netanyahu has always said Hamas must give up all weapons before any peace deal can happen.
But Hamas doesn’t agree with that part.
Israeli news says the government is reading Hamas’ reply carefully.
🔥 Gaza Still in Danger
Even while peace talks are starting, the fighting hasn’t stopped.
In the last 24 hours, Israeli attacks in Gaza have killed at least 138 people, according to local doctors.
One big attack hit a tent camp in Khan Younis, where families who lost their homes were staying.
15 people died in that one strike alone.
The Israeli army says they:
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Fought and killed Hamas fighters
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Took away weapons
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Bombed 100 different targets they believed were being used by Hamas
Later that day, many people gathered for funerals.
A young girl named Mayar, only 13 years old, cried as she talked about her brother Mahmoud.
“He went to get a bag of flour for us to eat,” she said, “but he was shot in the neck.”
🙏 Families Beg for Hostages to Come Home
In Tel Aviv, Israel, families of people kidnapped by Hamas held a protest.
They stood outside the U.S. Embassy and set up a dinner table with 50 empty chairs—each one for a person still missing.
They held signs with a message from Trump that said:
“MAKE THE DEAL IN GAZA. GET THE HOSTAGES BACK!!!”
One protester, Gideon Rosenberg, wore a shirt with a picture of his worker, Avinatan Or, who was taken during a music festival last year.
He shouted,
“Only you can make the deal. We want one beautiful deal!”
🧒 Who Are the Hostages?
There are still about 20 hostages believed to be alive.
The peace plan says 10 of them might be released during the 60-day ceasefire, along with bodies of 18 others who sadly died while being held.
One father, Ruby Chen, lost his 19-year-old son Itay, who had American and German citizenship.
He begged Netanyahu to come back from the U.S. with a deal to bring everyone home.
💔 The War’s Heavy Cost
This war started on October 7, 2023, when Hamas surprised Israel and killed around 1,200 people, taking 251 hostages.
Since then, the war has:
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Killed over 57,000 Palestinians, most of them innocent people
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Left Gaza in ruins
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Made over 2 million people homeless and hungry
🌍 What Happens Next?
Hamas says they want peace talks.
Israel is still deciding.
The U.S., Egypt, and Qatar are working hard to make both sides agree on a deal.
President Trump hopes that by next week, the war could finally pause, and families might start to heal.
