Ceasefire proposal gains traction amid escalating Gaza conflict

• Hamas accepted the ceasefire proposal from Egypt and Qatar, which includes a 50-day cessation of fighting in exchange for the release of five Israeli hostages and the release of Palestinian prisoners.
• Israel has presented its own counterproposal, which is coordinated with the USA, but details have not been disclosed. Talks are ongoing, but reaching an agreement before the end of Ramadan is unlikely.
• The Israeli army has expanded ground operations in the southern Gaza Strip, focusing on Hamas infrastructure near the city of Rafah.

Hamas has agreed to the ceasefire proposal presented by Egypt and Qatar. Khalil al-Hayya, one of Hamas's leaders, confirmed that the group accepted the conditions, which include a 50-day cessation of fighting.

In return, Hamas is to release five Israeli hostages, and Israel will release a number of Palestinian prisoners and resume humanitarian aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip.

Israel, although it received the ceasefire proposal, has presented its own counterproposal, which is coordinated with the USA.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office confirmed that the government discussed the mediators' offer. However, reaching an agreement before the end of Ramadan seems unlikely.

The Israeli army has expanded its ground operations in the southern Gaza Strip, particularly near the city of Rafah. In recent days, dozens of attacks on Hamas infrastructure have been carried out.

The Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip reported that in the past 24 hours, 25 people were killed in Israeli attacks, and since the resumption of the offensive on March 18, the number of casualties has risen to 921.