Hamas responds positively to new ceasefire plan - Reports

MOSCOW: Palestinian movement Hamas has responded positively to a proposal for a new ceasefire agreement with Israel, which includes a hostage deal, Sputnik/RIA Novosti reported, citing the Ynet portal and sources familiar with the matter.

On Wednesday, Hamas said that it was holding consultations to discuss a proposal from mediators aimed at reaching a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip. The movement noted that the mediators were making efforts to reach "a framework agreement and initiate serious negotiations."

Hamas gave a positive response to Qatar regarding the new plan, which initially includes a 60-day ceasefire with the release of 10 live hostages and 18 dead, Ynet reported on Thursday evening. The official statement, however, has not yet been published.

On March 18, Israel resumed strikes on the Gaza Strip, citing Hamas's refusal to accept a United States (US) plan to extend the ceasefire, which expired on March 1.

On June 30, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said that Cairo, along with other mediators, was trying to broker a 60-day ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of a number of Israeli hostages. US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that Israel had agreed to ceasefire conditions.

-- BERNAMA