Palestinian resistance groups agree to ceasefire and prisoner exchange in Gaza

The Palestinian Liberation Organization (Hamas) has agreed to the latest Gaza ceasefire and prisoner exchange proposal presented to regional mediators, the BBC News reported, citing a source in the organization. The Egyptian and Qatari proposal is based on a framework presented by US Ambassador Steve Witkoff in June. According to the agreement, Hamas will release half of the remaining 50 Israeli prisoners (about 20 of whom are believed to be alive) in two phases during an initial 60-day ceasefire. Talks will also continue on a permanent ceasefire. However, Israel’s reaction is still unclear. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said last week that it would only accept any deal if “all prisoners are released together.” Netanyahu did not comment directly on the news of Hamas’s agreement in a video message, but said: “One thing is clear from this: Hamas is under great pressure.” Israeli army chief Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said they were at a “critical juncture” in the 22-month war and aimed to intensify the assault on Hamas in Gaza City. In Gaza City, witnesses said Israeli tanks suddenly entered the southern Sabra area and, backed by air and artillery strikes, surrounded a UN-run clinic and several schools where hundreds of displaced people were taking shelter. The Israeli cabinet is expected to approve the army’s plan to take over Gaza City later this week. Thousands of people have already fled the city as Israel’s intensified offensive has intensified. After indirect ceasefire talks with Hamas collapsed last month, Netanyahu announced that Israel would expand its military operation and occupy all of Gaza—where 2.1 million Palestinians have taken refuge. More than 62,000 Palestinians have already been killed in Israel’s nearly two-year genocidal war in Gaza.