Hamas Says It Is Reviewing an Israeli Proposal on a Cease-Fire Deal

Hamas said connected Saturday that it was reviewing a caller Israeli connection for a cease-fire successful the Gaza Strip, a determination that comes amid efforts to interruption a deadlock successful the talks betwixt the equipped radical and Israel.

The connection came arsenic anticipation was increasing of an Israeli penetration of Rafah, a metropolis successful confederate Gaza wherever much than a cardinal radical person been displaced. Humanitarian groups person warned that specified an violative would person catastrophic consequences for civilians.

In a statement, Khalil al-Hayya, a elder Hamas official, said the radical had received an Israeli effect to a connection it delivered to Egyptian and Qatari mediators 2 weeks ago. Mr. al-Hayya did not supply immoderate details included successful the Israeli proposal, but helium said Hamas would respond to it aft the radical finished studying it.

On Friday, a delegation of Egyptian officials visited Israel successful an effort to beforehand the negotiations betwixt Israel and Hamas, according to an Israeli authoritative acquainted with the visit, who spoke connected information of anonymity due to the fact that they were not authorized to pass with the media.

In caller weeks, the negotiations aimed astatine achieving a cease-fire and the merchandise of hostages held successful Gaza person stalled amid disputes astir an Israeli withdrawal of forces and the magnitude of a halt successful the fighting. Hamas has demanded a imperishable cease-fire, whereas Israel has expressed openness to a impermanent pause.

Another cardinal sticking constituent is whether Israel volition let displaced Palestinians to instrumentality to the north. Hamas officials person said Palestinians should beryllium capable to spell backmost en masse, portion Israeli officials person said Israel wants to enactment limits connected who tin return, wherever and how.