ISTANBUL: Palestinian resistance group Hamas announced Saturday that it had received Israel’s official response to a hostage swap and cease-fire proposal it sent to Egypt and Qatar on April 13, Anadolu Agency (AA) reported.
“Hamas received Israel’s official response to the movement’s proposal delivered to mediators, Egypt and Qatar, on April 13,“ said Khalil al-Hayya, the group’s deputy head in the Gaza Strip and head of its Arab and Islamic Relations Office.
“The movement will study this proposal, and upon completion, will submit its response to the mediators,“ added al-Hayya.
Israel has pounded the Gaza Strip since Oct 7 killing more than 34,000 Palestinians.
A previous deal in November saw the release of 81 Israelis and 24 foreigners in exchange for 240 Palestinians, including 71 women and 169 children.
The United States, Qatar and Egypt have tried to broker an agreement to release the remaining Israeli captives.
Global calls for a cease-fire have been growing as the war has entered its seventh month.
Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which in January issued an interim ruling that ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza. – Bernama, Anadolu
