Hamas Announces Willingness to Implement Ceasefire Without New Conditions, According to Reuters

CAIRO – The Palestinian group Hamas announced on Wednesday that its negotiators expressed their readiness to implement an “immediate” ceasefire with Israel in Gaza, citing a previous U.S. proposal and stating that no new conditions should be imposed by any party.

In a statement, Hamas indicated that their negotiation team, led by senior official Khalil al-Hayya, met with mediators including Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Egypt’s intelligence chief Abbas Kamel in Doha to discuss the current situation in Gaza.

Despite ongoing discussions, no agreement has been reached to end the 11-month conflict. Key issues remain unresolved, including the control of the Philadelphi corridor, a narrow strip of land along Gaza’s border with Egypt.

CIA Director William Burns, who is serving as the primary U.S. negotiator concerning Gaza, mentioned on Saturday that a more detailed ceasefire proposal would be forthcoming in the next few days.

The U.S. proposal put forth by President Joe Biden in June outlined a three-phase ceasefire contingent on the release of Israeli hostages.

The ongoing conflict in Gaza escalated after Hamas militants launched an attack on Israel on October 7, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the abduction of around 250 hostages, according to Israeli sources. The Gaza health ministry reports that Israel’s military operations have led to the deaths of at least 41,084 Palestinians and injuries to 95,029 others.