Hamas close to ceasefire deal

Hamas says it is consulting other Palestinian groups before giving a formal response to the latest proposal for a new Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal put forward by the US.

In a statement on Friday, Hamas said it had entered discussions “with the leaders of Palestinian forces and factions around the proposal it received” from the mediating countries.

“The movement will submit a final decision to the mediators after the consultations are over and will announce that officially,” it added.

President Donald Trump said on Friday morning that he expected to know within 24 hours whether Hamas has agreed to the plan.

He said earlier this week that Israel had accepted the conditions necessary for a 60-day ceasefire, during which the parties would work to end the 20-month war. 

Meanwhile, the Israeli military is continuing to bomb targets across the Gaza Strip.

Source: Agencies