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Hamas says its holding consultations on Gaza truce proposal

Hamas says its holding consultations on Gaza truce proposal

Middle East Eye21 hours ago
Hamas has said it is holding consultations with other Palestinian groups on a proposed truce with Israel.
"The movement is conducting consultations with leaders of Palestinian forces and factions regarding the proposal received... from the mediators," Hamas said in a statement early on Friday.
Two previous ceasefires mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the US have seen temporary halts in fighting, coupled with the return of Israeli captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and detainees.
Hours earlier, Netanyahu vowed to bring home all Israeli captives held in Gaza.
"I feel a deep commitment, first and foremost, to ensure the return of all our abductees, all of them," Netanyahu said.
Trump said on Thursday he wanted "safety for the people of Gaza".
"They've gone through hell," he said.
A Palestinian source familiar with the negotiations told AFP earlier this week there were no fundamental changes in the latest proposal compared to previous terms presented by the United States.
The source said the proposal "includes a 60-day truce, during which Hamas would release half of the living Israeli captives in the Gaza Strip - thought to number 22 - in exchange for Israel releasing a number of Palestinian prisoners and detainees".
Out of 251 captives taken by Palestinian groups during the 7 October 2023 surprise attack, 49 are still held in Gaza, including 27 whom the Israeli military says are dead.
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