Hamas has reportedly agreed to the terms of a ceasefire with Israel, which has launched land and air assaults on Gaza in response to the October 7, 2023, attack,Daily Trust reports.
During Hamas’s incursion into Israel, numerous hostages were taken into Gaza, with only a few released as the conflict intensified, resulting in the deaths of an estimated 46,000 Palestinians. Over 1,000 Israelis were killed during the 2023 attack.
On Wednesday, Israeli and Palestinian officials confirmed that Hamas had approved a deal to release hostages and halt the fighting in Gaza. Multiple media outlets reported that Israeli officials indicated an agreement had been reached and could soon be announced.
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Reuters and AFP cited Palestinian sources stating Hamas had verbally approved the deal, though Reuters noted that a formal written response had not yet been provided. According to CNN, the agreement could lead to a phased release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners, with implementation likely to begin on Sunday. In the first phase, Hamas is expected to release 33 hostages, while hundreds of Palestinian prisoners would be freed from Israeli jails.
CNN added that the initial phase of the deal would be followed by negotiations for a second phase aimed at ending the war, set to commence on the 16th day of the agreement’s implementation. The deal could also mark the first significant reprieve for Gaza’s population in over a year, potentially allowing civilians to return to northern Gaza and facilitating a massive influx of humanitarian aid to the region, which has faced dire conditions.
Hamas stated that it had consulted allied groups regarding the agreement, emphasizing its commitment to addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. “The movement has approached this matter with full responsibility and positivity, driven by its duty toward the resilient people of the Gaza Strip, to end Zionist aggression and halt the massacres and genocide they face,” the group said.
