Hamas has reportedly agreed to a ceasefire proposal from U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, Reuters reported on Monday.
The agreement would see the release of 10 living hostages in exchange for a 70-day truce and a partial withdraw from Israeli forces in the enclave, as well as the release of Palestinian prisoners, the outlet added. Netanyahu said earlier this month that at least 21 hostages are still alive, while the status of three others is uncertain.
It was not immediately clear if the proposal also included guarantees to negotiate a permanent ceasefire and a full withdrawal from Israel. The government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu didn't immediately respond to the agreement.
The development comes days after the Wall Street Journal confirmed that several members of Hamas' top brass, including Mohammed Sinwar, brother of slain leader Yahya Sinwar, were killed in a recent airstrike, leaving a new void in the group's leadership.
The outlet detailed that the operatives were attending a meeting in a tunnel in Khan Younis, in southern Gaza. Among the topics discussed was the way to approach ceasefire talks with Israel, the outlet said. Mohammad Shabana, the commander of the Rafah brigade, was also killed.
Israel began in mid-May expanded operations in the enclave, aiming to seize its entire territory and displace its two million residents to a so-called humanitarian zone. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Israeli Defense Forces will only stop the offensive if Hamas agrees to release all hostages remaining there, give up its arms and exile its leaders, among other demands.
A senior Israeli official said in early May that the army's plan to take over the Gaza Strip also contemplates facilitating voluntary emigration from the enclave.
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