Hamas discusses ceasefire with Palestinian groups

"In order to end the Zionist aggression against our people and ensure free access for humanitarian aid, our movement is holding consultations with the leaders of Palestinian forces and factions about the proposal," the organization said in a statement. "The movement will present a final decision to the mediators at the end of the consultations and announce it officially."

Media close to Hamas reported that the terrorist organization had reacted positively to the new proposal. However, the group wants guarantees that the two-month ceasefire will lead to a permanent end to the fighting, the London-based newspaper "Asharq Al-Awsat" quoted a person close to Hamas as saying. Meanwhile, according to a report by the news portal "Ynet", the Israeli security cabinet met to discuss the details of a possible ceasefire.

Mediators propose ceasefire for 60 days

The mediators from the USA, Egypt and Qatar recently presented a proposal for a 60-day ceasefire in the Gaza war. According to US President Donald Trump, Israel has already agreed to the "necessary conditions" for the ceasefire. Hamas announced that it was examining the proposal "with great responsibility".

The exact terms of the mediators' new proposal are still unclear. The New York Times, citing an Israeli defense official and a Palestinian close to Hamas, reported that the proposed deal calls for the release of ten of the remaining hostages and the handover of the bodies of 18 abductees in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

At least 20 hostages in the Gaza Strip are still alive

According to official Israeli information, 50 people kidnapped from Israel are still being held in the Gaza Strip, at least 20 of whom are believed to be alive. The release of the hostages and the return of the bodies are to be staggered, 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 Islamist terrorist organizations on 7 October 2023, in which around 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 were taken hostage in Gaza. According to the Hamas-controlled health authority, more than 56,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since then. The figure, which is almost impossible to verify independently, does not distinguish between civilians and fighters.

Reports: Trump meets Saudi Arabian defense minister

According to reports by US media outlets Fox News and Axios, US President Trump received Saudi Arabian Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman at the White House. The talks reportedly focused on efforts to de-escalate the situation in the region following the US attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities.

"Iran wants to talk to me, and I think it's time they did," said Trump. A spokesman for Iran's foreign ministry said in an interview on Sky News that indirect efforts were underway to restart the search for a diplomatic solution to the conflict over the country's nuclear program.

International flights to Tehran resume

Around a week after the ceasefire with Israel came into force, both main airports in the Iranian capital Tehran have resumed operations. According to a decision by the civil aviation authority, flights, including to international destinations, will in future be handled again during the day between 05:00 and 18:00 Tehran time (06:30 to 19:30 CEST), as reported by the state news agency Irna.

However, the airports in the north-western city of Tabris and the central cultural metropolis of Isfahan remain out of operation for the time being. In the past few days, the civil aviation authority had granted initial relaxations and overflight permits. The metropolis and pilgrimage city of Mashhad in the north-east has been open again for a few days. Iran had closed its airspace on June 13 when the Israeli attacks began. A ceasefire has now been in place for just over a week.