Hamas accepts proposed deal for ceasefire with Israel and hostage release, Egyptian source says

Source: Reuters

Hamas accepts proposed deal for ceasefire with Israel and hostage release, Egyptian source says

By Nidal Al-Mughrabi
August 18, 2025 5:19 PM EDT Updated 11 hours ago

CAIRO, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Hamas has agreed to a 60-day ceasefire proposal with Israel that includes the return of half the hostages held in Gaza and Israel's release of some Palestinian prisoners, an Egyptian official source said on Monday.

Senior Hamas official Basem Naim confirmed the group's approval on Facebook. Hamas said other Palestinian factions informed mediators of their approval also.

There was no Israeli response to the Hamas proposal itself but an Israeli official confirmed it was received. Egypt and Qatar have been mediating between the sides with U.S. support.

Israel's plans to seize control of Gaza City in the heart of the Palestinian enclave have stirred alarm abroad and at home, where tens of thousands of Israelis on Sunday held some of the largest protests since the war began, urging a deal to end the fighting and free the remaining 50 hostages held in Gaza since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Israeli officials believe 20 are alive.

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Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hamas-accepts-proposed-deal-ceasefire-with-israel-hostage-release-egyptian-2025-08-18/

Alternate link: https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/palestinians-already-leaving-gaza-city-110436814.html