JERUSALEM (Reuters) – The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refuted claims on Wednesday that Hamas had agreed to the Gaza ceasefire proposal put forth by Qatari mediators, following an assertion by an Israeli official that the Palestinian militant group had given its approval.
Israeli media outlets had circulated reports indicating that, with the alleged consent from Hamas, the ceasefire agreement would be officially announced on Thursday, set to become effective on Sunday alongside the initial release of hostages. However, Netanyahu’s office countered these reports, stating that Hamas had not yet conveyed its response to the proposed deal.
“Contrary to reports, the Hamas terror organization has not yet provided its answer regarding the agreement,” declared the prime minister’s office.
(Writing by James Mackenzie; Editing by Bernadette Baum and Peter Graff)
