The Hamas terror group has reportedly agreed to a U.S.-backed initiative to extend the first phase of the ceasefire deal in return for the release of several living hostages, according to Al Hadath. The news also mentioned that the progress made in talks between Hamas and the U.S. led Israel to announce plans for a delegation to depart for Qatar on Monday.
Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi, however, denied the report, calling the claim that Hamas had agreed to a temporary ceasefire false. He reiterated that Hamas remains committed to the already-established deal and its upcoming second stage.
In response to the evolving situation, Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s office confirmed that Israel had accepted an invitation from U.S.-backed mediators to send a delegation to Doha on Monday in order to advance the negotiations. The delegation will be led by M. from the ISA, with members including Gal Hirsch, Netanyahu’s diplomatic adviser Ophir Falk, and teams from the IDF and Mossad.
Meanwhile, Kan News reported that a source in Israel confirmed U.S. involvement in initiating a proposal to release ten living hostages from Hamas captivity. In exchange, the proposal calls for a two-month extension of the ceasefire in Gaza. The Israeli source explained that the talks are being facilitated through Egyptian and Qatari mediators, without direct Israeli participation. “The negotiations are being held above our heads,” the source remarked.
Earlier, a Hamas spokesperson conveyed through the group’s Telegram channel that there were “positive signs” in the ongoing negotiations about extending the ceasefire and advancing to the second phase of the agreement with Israel. This phase would include Israel’s full withdrawal from Gaza. On Friday, a Hamas delegation arrived in Qatar to further discuss this next stage of the deal.
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