Hamas Yet To Respond To Gaza Ceasefire Deal Amid Continued Mediation Efforts

Hamas has yet to officially comment on the deal for a Gaza ceasefire, amid reports that had widely circulated a deal was in place. On Wednesday, Reuters reported that Hamas has not delivered a written response to the terms of the proposed ceasefire agreement. This follows denials from Netanyahu’s office about reports that Hamas had agreed to the Qatari mediators’ proposal.

Earlier, Israeli media outlets had said that Hamas signalled its approval of the deal that would be announced on Thursday with the ceasefire effective on Sunday. However, the office of Netanyahu contradicted earlier reports by saying Hamas had not yet returned its response.

The talks for the ceasefire, which Qatar, Egypt, and the United States are facilitating, have recently gained momentum. Months of halted negotiations and continuing Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have stalled the talks, but Qatar’s foreign ministry seems optimistic, indicating that the talks are in their “final stages.

Two Palestinian sources close to the talks claimed that Hamas and its ally, Islamic Jihad, had agreed upon the terms of the prisoner swap and ceasefire. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken have indicated that the ball is now in Hamas’s court. According to a report, the US Secretary stated that the deal is ready for implementation if Hamas agrees.

Despite the progress achieved in the negotiation process, the agreement on the proposed ceasefire deal sparked protests in both Israel and Gaza. While moderate Israelis and families of hostages are said to be showing support, extremists from the far right are opposing it.