Hamas has cleared the way for a ceasefire after abandoning a key demand.

Hamas has cleared the way for a ceasefire after abandoning a key demand.

Hamas has given preliminary approval to a US-backed proposal for a phased ceasefire agreement in Gaza, rejecting a key demand that Israel commit to progress towards a full end to the war.

Ad nan

The apparent compromise by the militant group - which controlled Gaza before launching a war with Israel on October 7 - could help provide the first break in fighting since last November and end a nine-month The disaster could set the stage for further negotiations to end the war. The two officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss ongoing negotiations, said Washington's phased deal would include a first six-week "full and complete" cease-fire that includes several hostages, including women. will be released. Elderly and wounded in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. During those 42 days, Israeli forces will also withdraw from densely populated areas of Gaza and allow displaced people in northern Gaza to return to their homes, the couple said.

Adn an

During that period, Hamas, Israel and mediators will also negotiate the terms of a second phase that could see the release of the remaining male hostages, both civilians and soldiers, officials said. In return, Israel would release additional Palestinian prisoners and detainees. In third stage it would involve the return of hostages, the bodies of dead captives, and the reconstruction project.

Ad nan

The two officials said Hamas still wanted "written guarantees" from mediators that Israel would continue to negotiate a permanent ceasefire agreement after the first phase was implemented.

A Hamas representative told The Associated Press that the group's approval came after receiving "verbal promises and guarantees" from mediators that fighting would not resume and that negotiations would continue until a permanent ceasefire.

A dnan

He said, " we want these guarantees on paper," 

Months of cease-fire talks have stalled over Hamas' demands that any deal include a complete end to the war. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has offered to halt the fighting, but not end it completely until Israel destroys Hamas' military and government capabilities and returns all hostages held by the militant group. Reach your goals.

Adna n

Hamas has previously expressed fears that Israel will resume the war after the release of the hostages. Similarly, Israeli officials have said they fear Hamas will end negotiations and an initial ceasefire indefinitely without releasing all hostages.

The office of Netanyahu did not respond to requests for comment, and Washington did not give any comment on it.

Ad nan

On Friday, the Israeli prime minister confirmed that the head of the Mossad spy agency had made a lightning visit to Qatar, one of the key mediators. But his office said "gaps between the parties" remained.

Israel launched the war in Gaza after an October attack by Hamas, in which the militants stormed southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and kidnapping about 250.

Adn an

Since then, Israeli air and ground strikes have killed more than 38,000 people in Gaza, according to the territory's health ministry, which does not distinguish between fighters and civilians in its count. The attack has caused widespread destruction and sparked a humanitarian crisis that has left millions on the brink of famine, according to international officials. Israel says Hamas is still holding about 120 hostages – about a third of whom Israel believes are dead.

Ad nan

According to previous proposals, the deal would see around 600 trucks of humanitarian aid enter Gaza every day - including 50 fuel trucks, 300 of which would go to the enclave's hard-hit northern areas, officials said. Will leave for Aid flows into Gaza have been curtailed following Israel's attack on the southern city of Rafah.

Saturday's news comes as fighting in Gaza and Israeli airstrikes continue unabated.

Ad nan

According to hospital officials, funeral prayers were held for 12 Palestinians, including five children and two women, who were killed in three separate attacks in central Gaza on Friday and Saturday in the central city of Deir al-Balah. The bodies of the dead were taken to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, where they were counted by AP journalists.

Adn an

Two of those killed in Friday's attack on the Maghazi refugee camp were employees of the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, the organization's director of communications told AP. Juliette Tuma added that a total of 194 UN agency workers have been killed in the conflict since October.

Ad nan

Earlier this week, some 250,000 Palestinians were affected by Israel's evacuation order in the southern city of Khan Yunis and surrounding areas. Most Palestinians seeking safety are heading to either the Israeli-declared "safe zone" centered on the coastal area of ​​Mosi or the nearby city of Deir al-Balah.

A dnan

In the Shajaiya neighborhood of Gaza City, the ground fighting has been going on for the past two weeks, due to which tens of thousands of people have been forced to leave their homes. Many took refuge in the Yarmouk Sports Stadium, one of the largest football stadiums in the Strip.