Israel has approved the framework of a proposed Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal. Now Hamas must agree to this.
Negotiations between Israel and Hamas
The Associated Press reports this with reference to a high-ranking representative of the US administration.
It is reported that on March 3, negotiations should resume in Egypt in order to reach an agreement.
According to the Associated Press, international mediators worked for weeks to reach an agreement to suspend hostilities before the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan around March 10.
The deal is likely to help hundreds of thousands of desperate Palestinians in northern Gaza, who humanitarian officials worry are at risk of starvation.
According to the source, the Israelis have "more or less accepted" the offer, which includes a six-week ceasefire, as well as the release by Hamas of hostages deemed vulnerable, including the sick, wounded, elderly and women.
A senior Egyptian official said Egyptian and Qatari mediators are expected to get a response from Hamas during talks in Cairo, which are due to start on March 3.
Hamas attack on Israel
On October 7, 2023, Hamas militants invaded the territory of Israel from the Gaza Strip. They took control of several settlements, took 250 hostages and killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians.
In response, Israel announced a counter-terrorist operation, regaining control of all captured cities on October 9.
Israel has announced a "total siege" of the Gaza Strip, cutting off the supply of fuel, water and electricity until all hostages are released.
The country later launched a ground operation in Gaza.
The UN says at least a quarter of Gaza's population of 576,000 is on the brink of starvation, with almost the entire population in desperate need of food.
