Hamas Submits Response to Ceasefire Proposal with Upcoming Talks in Italy

SadaNews - Hamas announced early Thursday morning that it has submitted its response to the mediators regarding the ceasefire proposal for the Gaza Strip, while Israeli media reported that the Israeli negotiation delegation received a mandate to discuss ending the war.

The movement stated in a brief statement on Telegram, "Hamas has just submitted its response and the response of the Palestinian factions to the ceasefire proposal," without providing details.

On the other hand, the White House stated on Wednesday that the United States wants to reach a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of detainees "as soon as possible," noting that U.S. envoy Steve Whittaker will meet in Europe with officials from the Middle East to discuss the proposed agreement.

American and Israeli media reports indicated that Whittaker will hold meetings in Italy with high-level officials from the Middle East.

Meanwhile, the Israeli Broadcasting Authority reported, citing unnamed sources, that the Israeli negotiation team in the Qatari capital Doha obtained a mandate to discuss ending the war with the mediators.

The authority noted that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges of war crimes in Gaza - wants to end the war during the ceasefire phase, according to ministers he spoke to recently.

The authority also reported that security sources stated that the erosion of the Israeli army's strength in Gaza is one of the reasons behind Netanyahu and Chief of Staff Eyal Zameer’s desire to end the war after the agreement.

Additionally, sources indicated that the Chief of Staff briefed Netanyahu on the situation of the forces on the ground and "this is something that cannot be ignored," adding that Netanyahu recognizes that there is also public desire to seek an end to the war.

Regarding the ongoing negotiations in Doha, Yisrael Hayom reported that Hamas requested that Israeli forces be stationed only 800 meters from the security fence in the Strip.

It further indicated that the movement demanded the release of a larger number of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for every captured Israeli soldier.

According to other sources, Hamas conditioned that the process of delivering and distributing aid be limited to bodies affiliated with the United Nations, excluding what is known as the