Hamas Responds Positively to Gaza Ceasefire Draft: Senior Official

Synopsis

On January 14, Hamas provided a 'positive' reply to a Gaza ceasefire draft proposed in Doha. As negotiations continue, both sides await crucial responses. The deal includes hostage exchanges and military withdrawals, aiming to alleviate the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza amidst escalating tensions since October 2023.

Key Takeaways

Hamas shows support for ceasefire draft.
Israeli officials confirm progress in talks.
Ceasefire deal involves hostage exchanges.
Continued military actions affect civilian casualties.
Humanitarian needs are paramount in negotiations.

Gaza, January 14 (NationPress) Hamas has provided a 'positive' response regarding a draft for the Gaza ceasefire agreement proposed by mediators in Doha, the capital of Qatar, according to a senior official from Hamas.

An anonymous source familiar with the negotiations stated, 'Hamas has not raised any objections to the draft, expressing hope that a ceasefire will be established promptly to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian population in the coastal enclave.'

'At this moment, we await the final response from Israel,' the source added.

Earlier on the same day, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar confirmed that 'progress' had been made in the discussions taking place in Qatar, emphasizing that Israel 'is making substantial efforts to secure a deal.'

According to Israel's Channel 12 news, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to consult with security officials shortly, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.

The channel also indicated that the proposed deal has garnered considerable backing from the Israeli cabinet, despite resistance from National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who labeled the potential agreement as 'catastrophic' for Israel's security earlier today.

Indirect discussions between Israel and Hamas resumed in Qatar on January 3, following a series of talks hosted by Egypt aimed at achieving a truce in Gaza.

Efforts by mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and the United States over the past months have not succeeded in establishing a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas since an initial truce that lasted one week between November and December 2023.

The ceasefire agreement is set to unfold in two stages. Initially, Hamas will release several Israeli hostages, including women, children, the elderly, and individuals considered humanitarian cases.

In return, Israel will free dozens of Palestinians, including those accused of crimes against Israelis. Furthermore, the Israeli military is expected to withdraw from specific areas in Gaza, allowing displaced individuals to return to their homes in northern Gaza, according to sources from Hamas.

Since Hamas's attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, in which approximately 1,200 individuals were killed and around 250 taken hostage, the two entities have been embroiled in a violent conflict.

The Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli assaults in the Gaza Strip has reached 46,584, as reported by health authorities based in Gaza on Monday.