Gaza/Tel Aviv, July 4, (dpa/GNA) – The Palestinian militant group Hamas, has agreed to a new proposal for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, pending clarification, it said in a statement on its Telegram channel on Friday evening.
“Hamas has given the mediators a positive response,” the statement said, confirming earlier indications.
Hamas is prepared to enter into indirect negotiations on the implementation of this proposal immediately, the statement continued. It did not provide any further details, conditions or reservations.
Hamas had forwarded the proposal of mediating states Egypt, Qatar and the US to Qatari negotiators with a “positive response,” a representative of the organization, who did not wish to be named, told dpa earlier.
However, a need remained for clarification about the continuation of the ceasefire after the initial 60-day period, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and unhindered access for humanitarian aid to the sealed-off coastal area, he added, in comments made shortly before Hamas released its statement.
The mediators recently presented a proposal for a 60-day ceasefire in the Gaza war, which began after the mass attack led by Hamas fighters on southern Israel on October 7, 2023.
According to US President Donald Trump, Israel has already agreed to the “necessary conditions” for the ceasefire to be finalized.
The exact terms of the mediators’ new proposal remain unclear.
According to Israeli and international media, the proposed deal envisages the release of 10 of the at least 20 hostages still alive and the handover of the bodies of 18 abductees in exchange for Palestinian prisoners being held in Israeli jails.
Previous ceasefire deals failed due to the diverging views of Israel and Hamas. During the limited ceasefire, the sides were supposed to negotiate the details of a permanent cessation of hostilities.
Hamas is demanding an agreement that leads to an effective end to the war. Israel wants to reserve the right to take further military action after the 60 days have elapsed if the negotiations do not lead to a result.
GNA