By Janet Ekstract ISTANBUL – The word has finally come from Hamas head of its political sector, Ismail Haniyeh later Monday evening, that Hamas will accept a ceasefire deal proposed by Egypt and Qatar. According to multiple media reports, Israel is currently reviewing Hamas’s response but Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office has yet to comment on it. Reports indicate that Hamas agreed to the deal right after Netanyahu announced that Palestinians needed to evacuate immediately from some parts of Rafah. Meanwhile, on Monday Chinese leader Xi Jinping called for an urgent ceasefire and peace in the Middle East during a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron. In a statement, Xi said: “We call for the immediate realization of a comprehensive and sustainable ceasefire in Gaza, support for Palestine to become a full member of the United Nations, support for the restoration of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian nation, restart the two-state solution, and achieve lasting peace in the Middle East.”
According to NBC News Chief Foreign Correspondent Richard Engel reported that the deal Hamas agreed to was also backed by the U.S. but the terms haven’t been clearly outlined but it would be a multiphase deal taking place over several stages. Engel said that initially, it’s expected that 33 hostages would be released with a 40-day ceasefire but Israel hasn’t yet confirmed this. The negotiations have been carried out in secret and unnamed Israeli officials claim Hamas’s acceptance is a ruse, according to media reports. What Hamas has been asking for is an end to the conflict and a full withdrawal of Israeli troops but Israel has refused to accept that. Currently, it’s still a wait and see on whether the ceasefire proposal will become a reality.
Photo : AA
