Hamas reaches out to a possible de -escalation. Friday evening, the Islamist movement announced that it is “ready to immediately and seriously initiate a cycle of negotiations” on the implementation of a cease-fire proposed under the aegis of the United States, with the support of Qatar and Egypt. According to a Palestinian source close to negotiations, the American plan provides a 60 -day truce. During this period, Hamas would release half of the Israeli hostages still alive in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners.
This advance comes in a tense diplomatic context, a few days before a crucial trip to Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu in Washington, where he must meet President Donald Trump. The latter has been pressure for several weeks to impose a truce in the Palestinian enclave, devastated by the fighting.
A proposal supported by Islamic jihad
Islamic jihad, an ally of Hamas and key actor in the field, supported the principle of an agreement, while demanding firm guarantees. “We want to go towards an agreement, but we must ensure that Israel will not resume its assault once the hostages have been released,” the movement said in a statement.
Our file on Gaza
On the ground, the fighting continues. According to the Palestinian Civil Defense, the Israeli offensive has killed 52 people in the past 24 hours, feeding the pressure on international actors a little more so that a cease-fire agreement is finally materialized.
