Hamas Accepts US Proposal for Israeli Hostage Talks: Report

Photo : Reuters

Hamas has agreed to a US proposal to initiate talks aimed at releasing Israeli hostages, which include soldiers and civilians, according to a senior Hamas source speaking to Reuters on Saturday. This development comes after Hamas dropped a key demand for Israel to commit to a permanent ceasefire before signing the agreement. Instead, negotiations towards a ceasefire will proceed throughout the initial six-week phase of the agreement.

The discussions, conducted under anonymity due to their sensitive nature, highlight a significant shift in Hamas' stance towards resolving the ongoing conflict with Israel. A Palestinian official involved in the peace efforts indicated that embracing this proposal could potentially lead to a framework agreement, bringing an end to the nine-month conflict in Gaza.

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In response to these developments, an Israeli negotiating team member, also speaking anonymously, expressed optimism on Friday about the prospect of reaching an agreement. This contrasts sharply with previous impasses where Israel deemed Hamas' conditions unacceptable.

As the talks progress, mediation efforts by international actors, including active diplomacy by Washington, Israel, and Qatar, are intensifying. Qatar, where the exiled Hamas leadership resides, has been playing a pivotal role in mediating discussions.

The proposed agreement includes provisions for temporary ceasefire guarantees by mediators, humanitarian aid delivery, and the gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops contingent upon progress in the second phase of negotiations, according to the Hamas source.

Meanwhile, the conflict continues to escalate on the ground. In the past 24 hours, Israeli military strikes across Gaza have claimed the lives of at least 29 Palestinians and injured 100 others, according to Gaza health officials. Among the casualties were five local journalists, bringing the total number of journalists killed since the conflict erupted to 158, as reported by the Hamas-led Gaza government media office.

In Rafah, near the Egyptian border, Israeli forces targeted Palestinian policemen in an airstrike on Saturday, resulting in four deaths, including Fares Abdel-Al, the head of the police force in western Rafah's Tel Al-Sultan neighborhood. The Israeli military stated that its operations aimed to dismantle Hamas military infrastructure in the area.

Further airstrikes in the Al-Nuseirat refugee camp killed 10 Palestinians, according to medics, with the Israeli military asserting that it targeted a Hamas rocket cell operating from within a civilian area.

The armed wings of Hamas and Islamic Jihad have retaliated by launching anti-tank rockets and mortar bombs at Israeli forces in multiple areas across Gaza.

The developments come amid heightened diplomatic efforts, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office indicating that negotiations will resume next week despite existing gaps between the parties.

Families of the hostages expressed cautious optimism, with some urging Netanyahu to proceed with the proposed agreement. "For the first time in many months, we feel hope," said Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan was abducted in October. "This opportunity cannot be missed," she emphasized.

The situation remains fluid as efforts towards a ceasefire and hostage release continue amidst ongoing military operations and diplomatic maneuvers.

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