Hamas Signals Immediate Ceasefire Readiness Amid Stalled Gaza Talks

Hamas declared its willingness for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza based on a previous U.S. proposal, following discussions led by senior official Khalil al-Hayya with mediators from Qatar and Egypt. Despite extensive negotiations, no agreement has been reached to end the ongoing 11-month-old conflict. Issues like control of the Philadelphi corridor remain unresolved.

Hamas has expressed readiness to implement an immediate ceasefire with Israel in Gaza, according to a statement released on Wednesday. The ceasefire would be based on a previous U.S. proposal, without any new conditions from any party.

Negotiations, headed by senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya, involved talks with Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Egypt's intelligence chief Abbas Kamel in Doha. Despite the discussions, efforts to resolve the 11-month-old conflict have been unsuccessful, particularly due to lingering issues such as the control of the Philadelphi corridor on Gaza's border with Egypt.

CIA Director William Burns, the chief U.S. negotiator on Gaza, announced a more detailed ceasefire proposal is expected in the coming days. The U.S. President's previous plan in June envisioned a phased ceasefire in exchange for the release of Israeli hostages. The conflict, which began on October 7 with an attack by Hamas militants, has resulted in significant casualties on both sides.

(With inputs from agencies.)