Hamas confirms handing approval of Gaza ceasefire deal to mediators

The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has handed its approval of the proposed ceasefire for the Gaza Strip mediated by Egypt and Qatar.

Mediators in the Qatari capital Doha have been working hard to clinch a deal between Israel and Hamas to end more than 15 months of the genocidal war in Gaza and release Israeli captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

Details on the terms and phases of the agreement are yet to be announced, but Hamas said in a statement that its delegation, led by Khalil al-Hayya, a member of the group’s Legislative Council, handed its written approval of the ceasefire deal to the mediators in Qatar and Egypt.

"The leadership of Hamas delivered a short while ago to the mediator brothers its response to the ceasefire agreement proposal," the group said in its statement. 

"The movement's political bureau held an emergency meeting to discuss the proposal submitted by the mediators."

"The movement dealt with all responsibility and positivity, based on its responsibility towards our patient and steadfast people in the honorable Gaza Strip, by stopping the Zionist aggression against them, and putting an end to the massacres and war of genocide to which they are being subjected," it said.

Abubaker Abed, Press TV’s correspondent in northern Gaza, said streets in Gaza were erupting in happiness following news of an imminent ceasefire.

“The happiness is literally eternal. Gaza's streets are erupting. The tears of everyone, the joy,” he posted on X.   

According to the agreement, displaced people will be allowed to return on foot starting the seventh day of the ceasefire, without any searches.

However, vehicles returning from southern Gaza to the north will be inspected using X-ray scanning equipment operated by Egyptian-Qatari companies.

Israeli ground forces will gradually withdraw from the Netzarim and Philadelphi corridors. The military will withdraw to within 700 meters inside Gaza.

The withdrawal from the Netzarim axis will be immediate. The pullout from the Philadelphia axis will begin gradually after 40 to 50 days from the start of the first phase.

The regime will also relinquish control over the Philadelphia Corridor, along Gaza's border with Egypt. Israel will open the Rafah crossing with Egypt seven days after the start of the first stage.

The Palestinian resistance will release 33 captives in exchange for the release of 2,000 abductees from Gaza.

The regime will allow injured people in Gaza to travel to receive medical treatment.

Even as sources familiar with the discussions in Doha said the ceasefire talks had entered the “final stage” earlier in the day, Israeli forces stepped up attacks across Gaza, killing dozens of Palestinians and issuing a new displacement order for the Jabalia refugee camp.  

There is fierce opposition from some members of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet to a ceasefire in Gaza. However Israeli media suggested there is enough support in the Knesset and the war cabinet for the ceasefire deal to be approved.

A vote is expected to happen on Thursday. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said he was cutting his visit to Europe short on Wednesday to take part in the votes on the Gaza deal.

Far-right Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir is calling on the finance minister Bezalel Smotrich to resign alongside him if the ceasefire is realized, according to his statement on Telegram.

“The deal that is taking shape is a surrender deal for Hamas … Therefore, I call on my friend Bezalel Smotrich to join me and cooperate in working against the deal,” Ben-Gvir said.

Ben-Gvir threatens to quit Netanyahu cabinet over Gaza truce deal

Far-right Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir threatened on Tuesday to quit the Benjamin Netanyahu cabinet if the Gaza ceasefire deal goes through.

"We will not be part of a surrender deal that will include the release of many Palestinian prisoners."

"This is the time to continue with all our might to conquer Gaza and to open the gates of hell on Gaza until the complete surrender of Hamas."

Israel has failed to achieve any of its stated objectives for the war, despite killing more than 46,700 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and razing almost the entire coastal territory to the ground.

Israel launched the genocidal war on Gaza on October 7, 2023, following a surprise attack by Palestinian resistance groups, with the aim of “destroying Hamas” and bringing back the captives.  

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