FLASH
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US, Qatari and Egyptian mediators have stepped up efforts for an extended ceasefire after the Palestinian group responded to a proposal for an extended pause in fighting and the release of hostages.
Hamas responded on Tuesday to a proposal drawn up more than a week ago by US and Israeli intelligence chiefs at a meeting in Paris with Egyptian and Qatari mediators.
The details were not disclosed, but in a statement Hamas expressed that there is a positive spirit in ensuring a comprehensive and complete ceasefire, which would allow an end to the aggression against the people, providing relief, shelter and reconstruction, lifting the siege in the Strip. Gaza and achieving a prisoner exchange.
In Doha, US Secretary Antony Blinken said that there is still a lot of work ahead to be done.
"There is still a lot of work to be done, but we continue to believe that an agreement is possible. We are also determined to use any pause to continue to open a diplomatic path forward to a just and lasting peace and security for the region. This is what we have been intensively focused on with our partners in Qatar, Egypt, working with Israel."
Qatar described Hamas's response as "positive" overall, while Egyptian security sources told Reuters that Hamas showed flexibility. The ceasefire will last at least 40 days, during which the militants would release civilians among the remaining hostages they are holding. Other stages would follow, to hand over the soldiers and dead bodies of the hostages in exchange for the release of Palestinians imprisoned in Israel. The ceasefire would also increase the flow of food and other aid to Gaza's civilians, who are facing starvation and severe shortages of basic supplies.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ruled out both demands, saying Israel is committed to continuing its offensive until total victory over Hamas and the return of all hostages. He has also rejected US calls for a Palestinian state.
The Israeli army announced the other day that 31 of the remaining hostages in Gaza had been declared dead. Israel previously said 136 hostages were still in Gaza after 110 were released under a seven-day ceasefire in November, when Israel also released 240 Palestinian prisoners.
On the ground in Gaza, Israeli forces continue fighting in Khan Younis. At least 14 people were killed by the airstrikes. Rafah is also hit by airstrikes and bombings. Concerns are mounting over an Israeli ground invasion of the southern city of Rafah, home to some 1.4 million displaced Palestinians, as the UN warns of a large-scale loss of life.
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