Hamas has expressed its readiness to reach a ceasefire in Gaza, following the truce between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. A senior Hamas official confirmed, that the group had informed mediators in Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey of its willingness to negotiate a ceasefire and a serious prisoner exchange deal. The official accused Israel of hindering the agreement.
This development comes after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon took effect on Wednesday, ending more than a year of intense fighting that claimed thousands of lives. The truce, which began at 4:00 am (0200 GMT), aims to halt the conflict that has displaced hundreds of thousands in Lebanon and tens of thousands in Israel.
Following the ceasefire, the Israeli military warned residents of southern Lebanon to avoid approaching Israel Defense Forces positions or evacuated villages. Israeli Army spokesman Avichay Adraee posted on X, advising against heading toward IDF forces or the evacuated areas.
The war between Israel and Hezbollah has resulted in heavy airstrikes on Lebanon, with Israeli troops deployed on the border to fight Hezbollah militants. US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the ceasefire agreement, while Lebanese parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri mediated on behalf of Hezbollah, which did not participate directly in the talks.
Since the start of the hostilities in October 2023, Lebanon has reported at least 3,823 deaths, with most casualties occurring in recent weeks as Israel intensified its operations against Hezbollah. On the Israeli side, at least 82 soldiers and 47 civilians have died in the conflict.
