Hamas seeks war-end promise as US-led Gaza ceasefire talks advance
On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump announced that Israel had accepted the terms of a 60-day ceasefire, designed to allow space for negotiations toward a final resolution of the conflict.While Hamas has not yet officially accepted the plan, the group said it was in consultation with other Palestinian factions and would issue a formal response to mediators shortly.ISRAELI OFFICIALS ARE CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC'If the Hamas response is positive, an Israeli delegation is ready to participate in indirect talks to finalise the deal,' said a senior official close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. A second source familiar with the talks said Israel expected a reply from Hamas by Friday.The proposal includes the staggered release of 10 living Israeli hostages and the return of the bodies of 18 more in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails, an official familiar with the negotiations said on Thursday. Of the 50 remaining hostages in Gaza, 20 are believed to still be alive.Egyptian and Qatari negotiators have reportedly sought international assurances that the two-month ceasefire would serve as a stepping stone toward a broader end to hostilities — an element that Hamas views as non-negotiable.'Efforts for a Gaza truce gathered steam after the US secured a ceasefire to end the 12-day aerial conflict between Israel and Iran,' noted one Egyptian security source. 'Now the priority is getting both sides to commit to deeper talks.'But on the ground, Gaza continues to endure heavy bombardment. Medical officials reported dozens of civilian casualties from Israeli strikes on Thursday alone, as expectations mount for a breakthrough, but without guarantees, Hamas remains hesitant.- Ends(With inputs from Reuters)Tune InMust Watch
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