Hamas has conveyed to Qatari and Egyptian mediators its acceptance of their latest ceasefire and hostage release proposal with Israel, according to a source within the group who spoke to the BBC.
No details of the proposal were provided by the source. Israel has not officially responded, but there are reports that Israeli officials have indicated that the proposal is not one they had put forward or would agree to.
The proposed deal includes a temporary ceasefire lasting several weeks and the release of several dozen hostages.
This development from Hamas was announced just hours after the Israeli military instructed Palestinians in parts of Rafah to evacuate, signaling potential preparations for a significant military assault on Hamas positions in the southern Gaza city.
The operation is expected to impact tens of thousands of residents, many of whom were observed loading into vehicles or donkey carts on Monday.
A Hamas official has described the evacuation order, which was followed by Israeli airstrikes, as a “dangerous escalation.”
The conflict was initiated on October 7 when Hamas fighters attacked southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 individuals and taking over 250 hostages.
According to health ministry reports controlled by Hamas, the ongoing military actions by Israel in Gaza have resulted in over 34,700 deaths.
