Hamas Says It Has Accepted A New Ceasefire Deal By Egypt And Qatar But It Will Not Disarm

Hamas said on Saturday, March 29, that it has accepted a new deal for a ceasefire in Gaza that was mediated by Egypt and Qatar.

An Egyptian official told the AP earlier in the week that it had proposed a new deal try to get the ceasefire back on track after Israel refused to proceed with phase two and resumed its genocide on March 18.

AP reported the deal would involve Hamas releasing five living Israeli hostages in return for Israel releasing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, allowing aid into Gaza and a "weekslong pause in fighting."

According to Al Jazeera, the deal would involve Hamas releasing five living Israeli hostages in exchange for a 50-day halt to fighting.

In a video message, Hamas' leader Khalil Al-Hayya said that Hamas had "dealt with [the deal] positively and accepted it", saying that the group hopes Israel would not obstruct it or strain the efforts of the mediators.

He said that it had also accepted Egypt's plan to form an independent body of experts to oversee civil administration in Gaza.

However, he said that Hamas will not disarm, calling demilitarization "a red line".

"It is impossible for us to accept humiliation and disgrace for our people. There will be no displacement or deportations," he said.

Hayya said that as long as the Israeli occupation exists, weapons are necessary for Palestinians to protect their capabilities and rights.

A short while after, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said it held consultations and discussed the proposal Hamas accepted.

It then said in a statement that it had "submitted a counter-proposal to the mediators in full coordination with the United States."

Al Jazeera reported that Israel's counter-proposal includes Hamas releasing 10 hostages, as well as the bodies of other hostage killed in the war, but it was not committing to ending the war.

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