Israel has reportedly agreed to the framework of a proposed temporary cease-fire and hostage release in Gaza that comes after weeks of negotiations by international mediators.
The Israelis “have more or less accepted” the framework and now the ball is in Hamas’ court to agree to the terms, a senior U.S. administration official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told the The Associated Press Saturday, a day before talks will continue in Egypt.
The deal, if accepted by all sides, will reportedly include a six-week cease-fire and Hamas would release hostages considered at risk, according to the U.S. official. The framework would also include a larger influx of humanitarian aid into Gaza as thousands of Palestinians, around one-quarter of Gaza’s residents, are a step away from famine, according to a senior U.N. official.
The response from Hamas about the proposed deal is expected on Sunday, a senior Egyptian official who spoke on condition of anonymity told the AP.
Scrutiny of Israel has intensified as more than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed and hundreds of thousands are battling for survival in northern Gaza following retaliation by Israel after Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel on Oct. 7 that left over 1,200 Israelis dead.
The U.S. Air Forces Central began air dropping aid into Gaza on Saturday. President Biden announced the plan on Friday, reiterating that he believes the U.S. and others need to do more to help Palestinians.
This comes as one in six children in Gaza under the age of two suffer from malnutrition, according to the U.N. official, per the AP.
The proposed cease-fire comes as more than 100 Palestinians died in Gaza City when trying to access humanitarian aid from the convoy delivering food. Palestinians have accused Israel of firing at civilians while Israeli officials said their forces only shot those who were a threat.
The Biden administration has been involved in months of negotiations between Egypt, Qatar, Egypt and Hamas for a pause in fighting. On Thursday, the president acknowledged that the civilian deaths could complicate the deal.
“Right now, the ball is in the court of Hamas and we are continuing to push this as hard as we possibly can,” an official told the AP.
The Associated Press contributed reporting.