Israel, the United States, and Hamas are reportedly in a tentative agreement to free dozens of women and children held hostage in Gaza, with a proposed five-day pause in fighting, as reported by the Washington Post, citing sources familiar with the deal.
Despite the report, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. officials have contradicted this claim, asserting that no deal has been finalized.
Israel vowed to destroy Hamas after the Oct. 7 attack. As the conflict entered its seventh week, authorities in Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip raised their death toll to 12,300, including 5,000 children.
However, the potential hostage release may commence in the coming days, pending any last-minute obstacles, according to details outlined in a six-page agreement, the newspaper, cited by Reuters has said.
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The report comes as Israel appears to be preparing to expand its offensive against Hamas militants to southern Gaza after air strikes killed dozens of Palestinians, including civilians reported to be sheltering at two schools.
According to Reutetr, all parties would, under the agreement freeze, combat operations for at least five days while 50 or more hostages are released in groups every 24 hours, the Post reported. Hamas took about 240 hostages during its Oct. 7 rampage inside Israel that killed 1,200 people.
The pause also is intended to allow a significant amount of humanitarian aid in, the newspaper said, adding the outline for the deal was put together during weeks of talks in Qatar.
But Netanyahu told a press conference on Saturday evening: “Concerning the hostages, there are many unsubstantiated rumours, many incorrect reports. I would like to make it clear: As of now, there has been no deal. But I want to promise: When there is something to say – we will report to you about it.”
A White House spokesperson also said Israel and Hamas have not yet reached a deal on a temporary ceasefire, adding the U.S. is continuing to work to get a deal. A second U.S. official also said no deal had been reached.
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The Israeli troops entered Gaza city earlier this week and has since continue to lunch offensive in the Gaza biggest hospital, Al-Shifa, which it claimed Hamas use as hideout. Hamas repeatedly denied the claim.
A team led by the World Health Organization (WHO) which visited Al Shifa on Saturday described it as a “death zone” with signs of gunfire and shelling. WHO said it was developing plans for immediate evacuation of the remaining patients and staff.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, whose government controls parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, on Saturday said “hundreds of forcibly displaced people were killed” at the two schools in Gaza.
Abbas on Saturday appealed to U.S. President Joe Biden to intervene to stop the Israeli operation in Gaza.