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Palestinian groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad have reportedly approved a ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal, marking a significant development in the ongoing negotiations aimed at halting the nearly 16-month-long conflict in Gaza.
According to two Palestinian sources close to the talks, the resistance factions reached an agreement on the terms of the ceasefire and informed the mediators, who include representatives from Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, of their approval.
“The resistance factions reached an agreement among themselves and informed the mediators of their approval of the (prisoner) exchange deal and ceasefire,” one of the sources told AFP on the condition of anonymity.
A second Palestinian source confirmed the deal’s approval, further suggesting that a formal announcement may soon follow. However, despite these reports, key questions remain regarding Hamas’ formal written approval of the deal.
According to a Palestinian official speaking to Reuters, Hamas had given verbal approval to the ceasefire and hostage return proposal under negotiation in Qatar, but was still awaiting additional details before providing its final written response.
A Hamas official, who also declined to be named, reiterated that the group had not yet submitted a formal written response to the proposal.
The potential ceasefire deal, which has been under discussion for several months, would involve the release of hostages taken by Hamas in its deadly October 7, 2023 attack, the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails, and a phased halt to the fighting in Gaza.
Although Hamas has reportedly agreed to the terms of the deal in principle, there are still outstanding details that need to be finalised.
Meanwhile, Israeli officials denied claims that Hamas had officially agreed to the ceasefire deal. In a statement on Wednesday, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected reports suggesting that the Palestinian militant group had approved the ceasefire.
“Contrary to reports, the Hamas terror organization has not yet returned its response to the deal,” Netanyahu’s office said.
The confusion came after an Israeli official had earlier stated that Hamas had given its approval to the ceasefire proposal shared by Qatari mediators. However, Netanyahu’s office quickly refuted that claim, further underscoring the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the talks.
