Hamas reportedly accepts ceasefire plan proposed by mediators

GAZA: Hamas informed Qatar and Egypt that they had agreed to accept the ceasefire plan proposed by the mediators, Al Jazeera reported on Sunday, citing Hamas sources.

According to the plan disclosed by Al Jazeera, Hamas agreed to reach a three-stage ceasefire with Israel, each stage lasting 42 days. In the first phase, the Israeli army will withdraw from the Necharim Corridor and allow the Gaza people to freely return to the north, in addition to personnel exchanges.

Gaza ceasefire uncertain, Israel to continue Rafah assault

In the second stage, the Israeli army is required to permanently cease fire. The third phase requires Israel to end its siege on Gaza.

Israel recently stated that it had received feedback from relevant mediators and was evaluating the matter. However, many unnamed Israeli officials told local media that the draft ceasefire agreement that Hamas had reportedly accepted was unilaterally modified by Egypt and was not a draft proposed by Israel.

Israeli media reported that Israel’s war cabinet met on Sunday evening. Members of the cabinet stated that if there is no progress in ceasefire negotiations within a short period of time, the Israeli army may launch military operations against Rafah within a week.

Qatar says Hamas response to ceasefire proposal is “positive”

The Palestinian death toll in the Gaza Strip from the ongoing Israeli attacks had risen to 34,683 since the Israel-Hamas conflict erupted last October, the Health Ministry in Gaza announced on Sunday.