Hamas official doubles down on demands for end of war amid new hostage deal hopes
Hamas officials have doubled down on demands that a new hostage deal agreement would see a complete end to the war, the Associated Press (AP) reported on Wednesday, citing an official from the terror group.
Hamas official Taher al-Nunu said that Hamas was 'ready and serious regarding reaching an agreement.'
He added that the terror group was 'ready to accept any initiative that clearly leads to the complete end to the war.'
A delegation from Hamas is expected to meet with mediators in Cairo on Wednesday, an Egyptian official confirmed to AP.
Negotiations continued based on an altered version of US envoy Steve Witkoff's framework that would see the remaining 50 hostages, less than half of whom are still alive, released after being held for over 600 days in captivity.
US President Donald Trump claimed that "Israel has agreed to the necessary conditions to finalize the 60 Day CEASEFIRE, during which time we will work with all parties to end the War," in a post on Truth Social on Tuesday night.
In the post, Trump confirmed that his "representatives had a long and productive meeting with the Israelis today on Gaza."
"The Qataris and Egyptians, who have worked very hard to help bring Peace, will deliver this final proposal," he added.
"I hope, for the good of the Middle East, that Hamas takes this Deal, because it will not get better — IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE," he continued.
While Trump's comments have reignited hopes of returning the remaining hostages, Israel has repeatedly refused agreements that would have seen the conflict end in the Gaza Strip with Hamas still in control.
Hamas officials have repeatedly bragged to Arab media that they would repeat the October 7 attack, an invasion in 2023 which saw terrorists rampage through southern Israel and murder over 1,200 people.
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