Hamas: truce agreement and prisoner exchange closer than ever

A gradual end to the war in Gaza is being negotiated. But violence and attacks in the Strip remain. Hamas: ‘Netanyahu does not obstruct’

A senior Hamas official, under condition of anonymity, told the Saudi newspaper Asharq News that the group is closer than ever to reaching a ceasefire agreement and prisoner exchange with Israel. However, the Hamas leader warned that the success of the deal depends on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his willingness not to obstruct the negotiations. The agreement would envisage a gradual end to the conflict and the phased withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, with an agreed timeline guaranteed by international mediators.

On the other hand, the Israeli Defence Minister, Israel Katz, confirmed that Israel is closer than ever to an agreement for the release of hostages held in Gaza. Speaking behind closed doors in front of the Knesset, Katz expressed optimism that the agreement could be reached soon, while specifying that it will not lead to a permanent cessation of hostilities, as demanded by Hamas.

Meanwhile, Hamas accused Israel of perpetrating a ‘heinous massacre’ by bombing a school in Khan Younis, in the south of the Gaza Strip. The attack claimed the lives of at least 20 people, mainly women, children and elderly refugees in the school run by the United Nations Agency for Palestine Refugees. Hamas denounced the incident as an example of Israel’s brutal war of extermination against the population of Gaza.

The group also emphasised the responsibility of the United States in these events because of its continued support for Israel, calling on the international community to intervene to end the violence.

According to the latest bulletin from the Gaza Ministry of Health, more than 45,000 people have died in the Strip since Israeli military operations began on 7 October 2023 in response to an attack launched by Hamas in Israel.

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