The Associated Press reported, citing officials in the region and American officials, that there were messages from Hamas leaders in Gaza urging the movement’s political leadership abroad to accept the ceasefire proposal.
A Hamas leader told Agence France-Presse on Sunday that the movement agreed “to begin negotiations” over the Israeli hostages “without a permanent ceasefire” in the Gaza Strip.
This comes amid renewed mediation efforts by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt to urge Israel and Hamas to engage in talks to stop the nine-month war and reach an agreement to release hostages held by Hamas and Palestinian detainees in Israel.
The official, who asked to remain anonymous, recalled that “Hamas previously required that Israel agree to a complete, permanent ceasefire” in order to enter into negotiations over the hostages.
He added, "This step was bypassed, as the mediators pledged that as long as the prisoner negotiations continue, the ceasefire will continue."
He continued: "Hamas backed down from its condition for a permanent ceasefire, as it agreed that negotiations would begin without a permanent ceasefire."
Officials said that Israel had previously strongly opposed Hamas' demands for a permanent ceasefire.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirms that he will continue the war until the elimination of Hamas, which has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007.
His office said on Sunday that “any agreement will allow Israel to return and fight until all the goals of the war are achieved.”
On May 31, US President Joe Biden presented a plan that he said was proposed by Israel, which stipulates a six-week ceasefire in the first phase and the release of hostages in exchange for the release of Palestinian detainees.
The head of the Israeli Mossad, David Barnea, left Doha on Friday after talks with Qatari mediators that discussed a plan for a ceasefire and the release of the hostages.
A spokesman for Netanyahu's office said that "next week" Israel will resume sending its envoys to Doha to revive negotiations on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, pointing out that there is "divergence between the two sides."
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