Gaza, Aug 20 (V7N) – The Palestinian armed group Hamas has agreed to a 60-day ceasefire proposal put forward by Egypt and Qatar, according to diplomatic sources. The plan includes the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, but it remains unclear whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will approve the deal.
 
Two diplomats involved in the talks, along with an Egyptian official, confirmed on Monday that the ceasefire agreement is aimed at halting further escalation before a potential Israeli ground offensive on Gaza City. Despite these diplomatic efforts, Israeli strikes have continued across parts of the Gaza Strip.
 
The proposed deal also allows for the delivery of increased humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza, addressing one of Hamas's core demands. Officials involved in the negotiations said the terms largely mirror those previously accepted by Israel. Under the earlier agreement, Israel consented to release Palestinian prisoners in exchange for half of the hostages held in Gaza, with the remainder to be released in a subsequent phase.
 
Hamas issued a statement confirming its acceptance of the Egyptian-Qatari ceasefire initiative, according to CNN. Al Jazeera reported that some analysts view this move as a potential “exit strategy” for the group. Adnan Hayajneh, Professor of International Relations at Qatar University, noted that Hamas’s approval may signal its interest in de-escalation, given the intense military pressure and worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
 
While the international community has welcomed the prospect of a ceasefire, attention now shifts to Israel's response, which could determine the viability of a temporary truce aimed at preventing further bloodshed and opening the door to broader negotiations.
 
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