Israel studying Hamas reply to Gaza ceasefire proposal

ISRAELI PROTESTERS DEMAND DEAL

On Friday, it said its forces were operating in nearby Zeitoun to locate weapons, tunnels and gunmen.

“It has been one of the worst nights in Sabra and Gaza City as the explosions are heard throughout the city,” said Nasra Ali, 54, a mother of five, who lives in Sabra.

“I was planning to leave my house when I heard there is a possible ceasefire. I might stay for a day or two, if nothing happens, then I will run away with my kids,” she told Reuters via a chat app.

Thousands of people are estimated to have fled the area in the past few days.

In Israel, the threatened offensive prompted tens of thousands of Israelis on Sunday to hold some of the largest protests since the war began, urging a deal to end the fighting and free the remaining hostages held in Gaza.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was expected to convene discussions about the ceasefire proposal soon, the two Israeli officials said. He faces pressure from his far-right government partners who object to a truce with Hamas.

Ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir have called for Israel to keep the war going until Hamas’ defeat and annex Gaza.

Hamas official Izzat El-Reshiq said that the truce proposal it has agreed to is an interim accord that would pave the way for negotiations on ending the war.

A source close to the talks said that, unlike previous rounds, Hamas accepted the proposal with no further demands.

But prospects for agreeing on an end to the war appear remote, with gaps remaining on the terms. Israel is demanding that the group lay down its arms and its leaders leave Gaza, conditions which Hamas has so far publicly rejected.

The war began when Hamas-led fighters stormed into Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Israel’s offensive has since killed more than 61,000 Palestinians, plunged Gaza into a humanitarian crisis and displaced most of its population.