Netanyahu’s office denies Hamas agreed to Gaza deal

Families and supporters of Israeli hostages kidnapped during the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, gather to demand a deal that will bring back all the hostages held in Gaza, on the day of a meeting between hostage representatives and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in Jerusalem, on January 14, 2025. | Photo Credit: Reuters

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office denied on Wednesday (January 15, 2025) that Hamas had agreed to the Gaza ceasefire proposal from Qatari mediators, after an Israeli official said the Palestinian militant group had given its approval.

Israeli media channels had reported that, following the green light from Hamas, the deal would be formally announced on Thursday (January 16, 2025) and would come into effect on Sunday (January 19, 2025) with the release of the first of the hostages.

However the Prime Minister’s Office said Hamas had not communicated its answer to the proposal.

“Contrary to reports, the Hamas terror organisation has not yet returned its response to the deal,” the Prime Minister’s office said.

Published – January 15, 2025 07:21 pm IST