Hamas ‘agrees to U.S. proposal for ceasefire’ that would see 10 living hostages released and 70 days of truce with Israel

Hamas has agreed to an American proposal for a Gaza ceasefire, a Palestinian official close to the group told Reuters today. The proposal was delivered to Hamas via mediators and includes the release of ten hostages in exchange for a 70-day truce, added the report. The proposal includes the release of ten living Israeli hostages held by Hamas in two groups in return for a 70-day ceasefire and a partial withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, Reuters quoted the source as saying. The proposal also includes the release of several Palestinian prisoners by Israel, among them hundreds serving long-term sentences. According to the report, Israel has not yet issued an official response. On March 18, Israel effectively ended a ceasefire agreement reached in January and resumed its military offensive in Gaza. In response, Hamas and allied groups began launching rocket attacks two days later. Hamas has said it is prepared to release all remaining hostages taken during its October 7, 2023, assault on southern Israeli communities an attack that killed 1,200 people and led to 251 hostages being taken into Gaza, according to Israeli figures. In exchange, the group is demanding a permanent ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal from the territory. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, has ruled out a permanent truce, stating that Israel would only agree to a temporary ceasefire in return for the hostages release. He has reiterated that the war will continue until Hamas is completely dismantled. Since Israel launched its air and ground campaign in response to the October 7 attack, nearly 54,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to health officials in Gaza.The post Hamas ‘agrees to U.S. proposal for ceasefire’ that would see 10 living hostages released and 70 days of trucewithIsrael appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.