Following Israel’s attacks on Gaza, reports indicate that Hamas has accepted the proposed ceasefire conditions.
These attacks were launched in response to an attack that occurred on October 7, 2023.
On Wednesday, Israeli and Palestinian officials reported that Hamas, the frontliners group controlling Gaza, had agreed to a deal which includes the release of hostages and a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict.
According to reports in multiple media outlets, Israeli officials indicated that the two sides had come to an agreement and a deal could soon be announced.
Both Reuters and AFP reported that Hamas had given verbal approval for the deal, citing Palestinian sources.
According to Reuters, the group had not yet given a written response to the ceasefire proposal.
Citing a source, CNN said the deal could lead to the phased release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners.
It added that implementation is likely to start on Sunday. Hamas is reportedly expected to release 33 hostages during the first phase of an emerging deal while hundreds of Palestinian prisoners would be released from Israeli jails at the same time.
“The release of the hostages would be the first phase of the deal being finalized. Negotiations to reach the second phase – which is intended to end the war – would begin on the 16th day of the implementation of the deal. Here’s what we know about the potential deal,” CNN said in its report.
The agreement would deliver the first reprieve from war for the people of Gaza in more than a year, and only the second since the Israeli bombardment began.
Israel launched its military campaign in the Palestinian enclave after Hamas’ October 7 terrorist attack, in which it says 1,200 people were killed and 250 taken hostage.
Atleast more than 100 were released in late November 2023 during a pause in hostilities, in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners.
The war has shattered Gaza’s infrastructure and displaced most of its population.
Health officials in the enclave say more than 46,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces — most of them civilians.
The chances for a ceasefire seemed vanishingly small after many false dawns in recent months
