HAMAS has accepted a US proposal to start talks on the release of Israeli hostages, 16 days following the first phase of an agreement aimed at ending the Gaza war.
The militant Islamist group has dropped its demand that Israel first commit to a permanent ceasefire before signing the deal, and will allow negotiations to achieve that during the first six-week phase.
A Palestinian official close to the mediators said the proposal might result in a framework agreement if accepted by Israel and would end the nine-month war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
The conflict has killed more than 38,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials. The war erupted following Hamas attacked southern Israeli towns on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and taking regarding 250 hostages.
Hamas sources said the proposal ensures that mediators will guarantee a temporary ceasefire, aid deliveries and the withdrawal of Israeli troops as long as indirect talks continue to implement the second phase of the agreement. (straitstimes/Z-8)
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