Hamas Political Bureau Chairman Ismail Haniyeh addresses the press as he visits Palestinian photojournalist Ashraf Amra, a freelancer for Turkiye’s main news agency Anadolu, who was seriously injured in his hand by Israeli fire army while covering a protest demonstration at Basaksehir Cam and Sakura City Hospital in Istanbul, Turkiye on September 22, 2023.
Cem Tekkesinoglu | Anadolu | Getty Images
Hamas said it had told Egyptian and Qatari negotiators that it had approved a ceasefire proposal to stop the war in Gaza, according to a press statement.
Israel has not yet provided a formal response.
Negotiations intensified this weekend, with the help of US CIA Director William Burns, alongside mediators from Egypt and Qatar.
The negotiations took place amid Israel’s continued threats to invade Gaza’s southernmost city of Rafah, which appeared imminent if a temporary ceasefire was not reached.
US officials have repeatedly warned Israel of an offensive in Rafah, where millions of civilians have taken refuge.
NBC News previously reported that the deal should free Hamas 33 hostages in return for Israel agreeing to release Palestinian prisoners and suspend military operations, which would ease the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
This is news development. Check back for updates.
