Hamas says it has accepted an Egyptian-Qatari ceasefire proposal
manchestereveningnews.co.ukThe Hamas militant group says it has accepted an Egyptian-Qatari ceasefire proposal to halt the seven-month war with Israel.
It issued a statement on Monday saying its supreme leader, Ismail Haniyeh, had delivered the news in a phone call with Qatar’s prime minister and Egypt’s intelligence minister.
The two Middle Eastern nations have been mediating months of talks between Israel and Hamas. News of the Hamas announcement sent people in Rafah cheering in the streets. READ MORE How a man set to be arrested over child images managed to jump to his death in front of police There was no immediate comment from Israel on the deal, and details of the proposal have not been released.
In recent days, Egyptian and Hamas officials said the ceasefire would take place in stages during which Hamas would release hostages it is holding in exchange for Israeli troop pullbacks from Gaza.
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