Hamas Gives ‘Initial’ Approval for Gaza Fighting Pause Plan

Amid ongoing violence in the Gaza Strip, Hamas has initially approved a humanitarian pause and a hostage-prisoner exchange in its conflict with Israel, as announced by Qatar. Despite this, a Hamas-affiliated source indicated that no final agreement on the proposal has been reached.

Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari confirmed the progress after discussions in Paris involving Qatari, U.S., Israeli, and Egyptian officials. While Israel has accepted the proposal, Hamas’s confirmation remains preliminary.

The conflict continues in Gaza, with significant military activity reported in Khan Younis. The Israeli military claims to have eliminated several Hamas fighters and destroyed a long-range missile launcher. The Gaza health ministry reports 119 casualties from recent strikes.

A proposed plan for a ceasefire involves a six-week pause in hostilities, allowing humanitarian aid into Gaza, and an exchange involving women, children, and elderly male hostages for Palestinian prisoners in Israel. Further negotiations would focus on Israeli troop withdrawal and additional hostage-prisoner exchanges.

The conflict, ignited by Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, has resulted in numerous casualties and extensive destruction in Gaza, along with escalating regional tensions. The U.N. reports that the conflict has displaced many Palestinians and severely strained resources in Khan Younis.

The controversy surrounding the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, has been exacerbated by Israeli accusations of staff involvement in the Hamas attack. This has led to funding freezes by several donor countries, including the U.S., threatening UNRWA’s operations.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposes troop withdrawal from Gaza and the release of a large number of Palestinian prisoners. He also criticizes UNRWA, suggesting its replacement with other agencies. Meanwhile, regional tensions have increased, with Iran-backed groups across the Middle East intensifying violence and U.S. forces being drawn into the conflict.

Negotiations to alleviate tensions on the Lebanon-Israel border are ongoing, with British Foreign Secretary David Cameron meeting Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati to discuss the situation.