Hamas continuing consultations with Palestinian factions on hostage swap deal, cease-fire

By Anadolu staff

GAZA CITY, Palestine (AA) – Hamas has not informed mediators of its rejection of a proposal for a hostage swap deal and a cease-fire in Gaza, a well-informed Palestinian source said Sunday.

The source, which requested anonymity, affirmed that the group’s consultations with other Palestinian factions on the proposals are “ongoing.”

His remarks were in response to international media reports, some of which claimed that Hamas had rejected the proposals while others suggested that it intended to deliver its response on Sunday evening.

“Hamas has not informed the mediators of rejecting the proposal for a hostage swap and a cease-fire,” the source told Anadolu.

“The group is continuing its consultations with all Palestinian factions and components regarding the proposals and will deliver its response to the mediators soon,” the source added.

On Tuesday, Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas' political bureau, said the group had received a proposal discussed at a meeting in Paris last Sunday.

He said they also received an invitation to visit Cairo to discuss the agreement, without specifying the date of the visit to the Egyptian capital.

On Jan. 28, a meeting was held in Paris with the participation of Israel, the US, Egypt and Qatar to discuss a three-stage deal involving a hostage swap and a cessation of hostilities in Gaza, according to Palestinian and American sources.

Israel estimates that there are approximately 136 Israeli hostages in Gaza, while it holds at least 8,800 Palestinians in its prisons, according to official sources from both sides, although there is no confirmation on the final number from either party.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala