Hamas has reportedly accepted the terms proposed for a ceasefire with Israel, which has carried out land and air assaults on Gaza in response to the attack on October 7, 2023. During the invasion by Hamas, numerous hostages were taken into Gaza, with only a few released as the crisis intensified, leading to the deaths of an estimated 46,000 Palestinians.
Over 1,000 Israelis lost their lives in the 2023 attack.
On Wednesday, officials from both Israel and Palestine announced that Hamas had approved a deal to release hostages and cease hostilities in Gaza.
Multiple media outlets reported that Israeli officials suggested an agreement had been reached, with an announcement expected soon. Both Reuters and AFP indicated that Hamas had given verbal consent for the deal, according to Palestinian sources. Reuters noted that the group had not yet provided a written response to the ceasefire proposal.
CNN, citing a source, mentioned that the deal could facilitate the phased release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners. Implementation is anticipated to commence on Sunday, with Hamas expected to release 33 hostages in the first phase, while hundreds of Palestinian prisoners would be freed from Israeli jails simultaneously.
“The release of the hostages would mark the initial phase of the finalization of the deal. Negotiations for the second phase – aimed at ending the conflict – would start on the 16th day of the deal’s implementation. Here’s what we know about the potential agreement,” CNN reported.
The agreement would provide the first respite from war for the people of Gaza in over a year, and only the second since the onset of the Israeli bombardment. Once confirmed, the deal is expected to enable Palestinian civilians to return to northern Gaza and facilitate a significant influx of humanitarian aid into the region, where residents have been enduring severe humanitarian conditions. In a separate statement, the group indicated that it had consulted with allied organizations regarding the proposed agreement.
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“The movement has approached this matter with full responsibility and positivity, driven by its duty towards our steadfast and resilient people in the Gaza Strip, to halt the Zionist aggression against them and to put an end to the massacres and genocide they are enduring.”
