US officials say the positive gesture could lead to a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
Hamas accepted the US proposal to discuss the possibility of releasing the Israeli hostages. The information was provided to the agency by a member of the extremist group. Reuters This Saturday (July 6, 2024).
The group agreed to negotiate before Israel committed to a ceasefire. The gesture comes 16 days after a deal to end the nine-month conflict in Gaza began. According to US government officials, Hamas responded “It can provide the basis for closing the deal.”
The interim agreement drawn up by Washington, according to News agencyThe “full” ceasefire will last for six weeks, and will see the release of many hostages, including women, the elderly and the wounded, in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
Within 42 days, Israeli forces will withdraw from densely populated areas of Gaza and allow displaced persons to return to their homes in the north of the area.
a ReutersIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on Friday (July 5) that the talks would continue next week.
Conflict in Gaza
The conflict began on October 7, when Hamas attacked cities in southern Israel. On that day, 1,200 people were killed and 250 others were taken hostage to Gaza.
According to the Israeli government, Hamas is still holding about 120 hostages. A third of them are believed to be dead.
Since then, the Israeli air and ground assault has killed more than 38,000 people in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry.
International authorities say the attacks have caused devastation in the region and a humanitarian crisis, with hundreds of thousands of people on the brink of famine.
