Hamas’ chief on Thursday declared that the war “completely ended,” saying mediators and the U.S. confirmed a permanent cease-fire agreement that includes the release of all Palestinian women and children from Israeli prisons and the reopening of the Rafah crossing in both directions.
Khalil al-Hayya noted that the Palestinian delegation received assurances from the mediators and the U.S. administration that "the war has ended completely." Al-Hayya is also the head of the Hamas negotiating delegation in the talks on a cease-fire.
Hamas has "given a response that serves the interests of the Palestinian people and spares bloodshed," he said, referring to the agreement based on the U.S. peace plan.
"We affirm that the sacrifices of our people will not be in vain and that we will remain true to our promise and not give up the national rights of our people: to achieve freedom, independence, and self-determination."
An Israeli spokeswoman confirmed earlier that an agreement on key points of a plan to end the Gaza conflict had been signed in the morning, paving the way for the first phase of the U.S. proposal.
