Hamas has signaled acceptance of a Gaza ceasefire plan put forward by mediators Egypt and Qatar, according to the group’s chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya. In a televised speech on Saturday, al-Hayya stated that Hamas had received the proposal two days prior and responded positively.
In a televised speech on Saturday, al-Hayya stated that Hamas had received the proposal two days prior and responded positively.
“We hope that the (Israeli) occupation will not undermine (it),” said al-Hayya, who leads the Hamas negotiating team in indirect talks aimed at reaching a ceasefire to end the ongoing Hamas-Israel war in Gaza that erupted in October 2023.
Security sources reported that Egypt had received positive indications from Israel over a new ceasefire proposal that would involve a transitional phase. The proposed agreement suggests that Hamas release five Israeli hostages each week.
Israel, in consultation with the United States, has conveyed a counter-proposal to the mediators, though it has not yet publicly confirmed acceptance of the ceasefire plan.
The ceasefire plan is structured in three phases. The first phase, which went into effect on January 19, 2025, involved a temporary halt to fighting, the release of some Israeli hostages, and the freeing of Palestinian prisoners.
The second phase aims to negotiate the release of remaining hostages and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. Hamas insists that any proposals must include the commencement of this phase, while Israel has proposed extending the initial 42-day period.
The final phase is intended to address broader diplomatic resolutions and security arrangements for Gaza.
Despite ongoing negotiations, Hamas has rejected calls from Israel and the United States to disarm, describing its arsenal as a “red line” that will not be crossed as long as Israeli occupation exists.
Israeli airstrikes on Gaza continued on Saturday, resulting in the deaths of at least 20 Palestinians, according to health authorities. Israel's military stated it had initiated ground operations in the Jneina neighbourhood of Rafah, aimed at expanding a security zone in southern Gaza.
Since resuming its offensive on March 18, Israel has issued evacuation orders to tens of thousands of residents in various areas of Gaza, citing ongoing rocket attacks into Israeli territories
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The U.S.-Iran crisis has entered its third day, with further strikes reported across the Middle East and the death toll rising. Oil prices have sur...
Israel carried out heavy airstrikes on the Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs of Beirut on Monday (2 March), af...
Türkiye and Iran have suspended day-trip passenger crossings at their shared border, Türkiye's trade minister said Monday, as a ...
The Middle East crisis intensifies after the deadly attack on the compound of the Supreme Leader of Iran Ali Khamenei on Saturday that killed him, other family members and senior figures. Iran has launched retaliatory strikes on U.S. targets in the region.
The U.S.-Iran crisis has entered its third day, with further strikes reported across the Middle East and the death toll rising. Oil prices have surged to levels last seen during the Covid-19 pandemic, raising fears of economic disruption and higher prices worldwide.
Türkiye and Iran have suspended day-trip passenger crossings at their shared border, Türkiye's trade minister said Monday, as a U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran entered its third day.
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi has held talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov following recent military strikes carried out by the United States and Israel on targets in Iran, as tensions in the Middle East continue to rise.
Follow the latest developments and global reaction after the U.S. and Israel launched “major combat operations” in Iran, prompting retaliation from Tehran.
Saudi Arabia’s state oil giant Saudi Aramco closed its Ras Tanura refinery on Monday following an Iranian drone strike, an industry source told Reuters as Tehran retaliated across the Gulf after a U.S.-Israeli attack on Iranian targets over the weekend.
The Kremlin is utilising the recent United States and Israeli military strikes on Iran to validate its ongoing war in Ukraine. Russian officials are pointing to the escalation in the Middle East as evidence that Western nations do not adhere to international rules.
The Middle East crisis intensifies after the deadly attack on the compound of the Supreme Leader of Iran Ali Khamenei on Saturday that killed him, other family members and senior figures. Iran has launched retaliatory strikes on U.S. targets in the region.
Ayatollah Alireza Arafi has moved into a pivotal constitutional role following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, becoming the clerical member of Iran’s temporary leadership council under Article 111 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Türkiye and Iran have suspended day-trip passenger crossings at their shared border, Türkiye's trade minister said Monday, as a U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran entered its third day.
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi has held talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov following recent military strikes carried out by the United States and Israel on targets in Iran, as tensions in the Middle East continue to rise.
Uzbekistan has expressed deep concern over the rapid escalation of tensions in the Middle East, urging restraint and diplomatic resolution as the conflict begins to affect civilian aviation and regional security.
As tensions escalate in the Middle East, Kazakhstan is assessing the impact on its trade routes, diplomatic ties and citizens in the region. Analysts say the crisis could test Astana’s ability to balance economic interests, security concerns and foreign policy priorities.
Israel carried out heavy airstrikes on the Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs of Beirut on Monday (2 March), after the Iran-backed group launched missiles and drones towards Israel in retaliation for the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
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