Hamas discusses ceasefire with Palestinian factions, security cabinet following developments
Hamas confirmed early on Friday morning that it was discussing the US-Qatar ceasefire proposal with other Palestinian factions. The terror group promised to announce the final decision after the meetings.
Later on Friday, reports indicated that Hamas was expected to make its final decision on a deal in the evening.
Israel's security cabinet convened on Thursday night to discuss reports shared by Hamas-affiliated groups that the Gaza-based terrorist organization accepted the latest hostage-Gaza ceasefire deal, Maariv reported.
Hamas's response to the deal has not yet been formally announced but is expected in the coming hours.
The Hamas-affiliated Al-Aqsa Channel reported on Thursday night that Hamas responded positively to the deal.
Hamas sources told Saudi-owned news outlet Asharq Al-Awsat that the issues of weapons and deportation were not discussed in recent negotiations, but that the terror group shows "flexibility" on the matter.
The sources said that Hamas could offer guarantees through intermediaries, such as Egypt and Qatar, to halt smuggling "all types of weapons," close down weapons factories, and keep the weapons in their stores without military presence on the ground or in any new tunnels, Asharq Al-Awsat reported.
The agreement after months of stalled talks comes after the US added into the deal proposal, "President Trump will commit that negotiations for the terms of the end of the war will continue even after the temporary ceasefire, and will do everything in his power to help the parties agree on the terms for a permanent ceasefire," N12 reported.
There are currently 50 Israeli hostages being held in Gaza, fewer than half of whom are still alive.
Hamas abducted over 250 people during its October 7 invasion into southern Israel in 2023, where the terror group murdered some 1200 people. The majority of the hostages were released in previous deals, though some were rescued by the IDF.
This is a developing story.
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