Hamas Agrees to Initiate Talks for Release of Israeli Hostages

Hamas has accepted a US proposal to commence talks to release Israeli hostages, Reuters reported citing a senior member of the Palestinian terror organization. This came 16 days after the first phase of an agreement aimed at ending the Gaza war was proposed. The war that began on October 7 saw Hamas attack Israel and take 250 hostages. Around 139 people lost their lives too.

Here’s what Hamas said

Hamas’ proposal demands that Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration first commit to a permanent ceasefire before signing the agreement, and would allow negotiations to achieve that throughout the six-week first phase. A Palestinian official close to the internationally mediated peace efforts had said the proposal could lead to a framework agreement if embraced by Israel and would end the nine-month-old war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. It is pertinent to note that the Jewish government has said that the peace talks between both sides would continue for the coming weeks.

More than 38,000 people have been killed by Israeli troops in Gaza and West Bank. The new proposal ensures that mediators would guarantee a temporary ceasefire, aid delivery, and withdrawal of Jewish soldiers as long as indirect talks continue.