A source from the Palestinian armed group Hamas has told the BBC that the organisation has accepted the latest proposal put forward by regional mediators for a ceasefire deal and the release of hostages with Israel.
The plan, formulated by Egypt and Qatar, builds on a framework previously proposed by US envoy Steve Witkoff in June. The agreement calls for Hamas to release about half of the 50 Israeli hostages still being held - 20 of whom are believed to be alive - in two phases during a 60-day ceasefire, during which time negotiations would take place on a permanent ceasefire.
There has been no official reaction from Israel yet, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office stated last week that it would only accept a deal that includes the immediate release of all hostages.
Following news of Hamas' acceptance of the agreement, Netanyahu released a video where he did not directly comment on this development, but said:
"From what is happening, you can only understand one thing - Hamas is under great pressure."
The Israeli army chief of staff, General Eyal Zamir, said the conflict is at a turning point, while emphasizing that the focus is now on intensifying attacks on Hamas in Gaza City.
Meanwhile, witnesses on the ground reported that Israeli tanks, supported by airstrikes and artillery, have made a surprise entry into the Sabra neighborhood south of Gaza City, surrounding schools and a UN-run clinic, where hundreds of displaced people are sheltering.
The Israeli cabinet is expected to approve this week a military plan to occupy Gaza City, where Israeli attacks have intensified and caused mass displacement of civilians.
Netanyahu has announced his intention to expand the offensive and take control of all of Gaza, including the areas where most of the 2.1 million Palestinian residents are sheltered.
A Hamas delegation led by Khalil al-Hayya, the group's chief negotiator, has been in Cairo since last week. They have been meeting with mediators who see this as a possible window for a deal.
At the same time, Qatar's Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani, has visited the Egyptian capital to exert maximum pressure on both sides, with the aim of reaching an agreement as soon as possible - confirmed Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty.
From the Rafah border, Abdelatty stressed the importance of an immediate ceasefire to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territory, describing the situation as "beyond imagination."
On Monday night, a Hamas source confirmed to the BBC that the group had sent a written response to the mediators expressing its acceptance of the agreement without conditions or changes.
According to a Palestinian official involved in the negotiations, the new proposal is the same as the one Hamas rejected two months ago, presented by Witkoff. It included:
– 60 days ceasefire,
– the release of 10 live hostages and the bodies of 18 other hostages,
– in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners,
– as well as the start of serious negotiations to end the war.
Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of Israelis have gathered in Tel Aviv, demanding the government accept the deal and bring the hostages home. Families of the hostages have expressed fears that the new offensive in Gaza City could endanger the lives of their loved ones.
"I'm afraid my son will get hurt," said Dani Miran, the father of Omri, who has been held hostage for 682 days.
Netanyahu, on the other hand, accused the protesters of strengthening Hamas's position in the negotiations.
In Gaza, citizens also protested against the war, demanding immediate peace.
"Hamas and its demands do not represent me. I want peace. I want security for my children," a woman told a local journalist working for the BBC.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump commented on social media:
"We will only take the hostages when Hamas is confronted and destroyed. The sooner this happens, the greater the chances of success!"
