Organisation’s politburo leader Haniyeh’s remarks came after Hamas communicated
its desire for truce agreement for hostage release to mediators in Qatar
Tel Aviv, Nov 21: Hamas’s politburo leader Ismail Haniyeh on Tueday claimed that it militant group is “close to reaching a truce agreement” with Israel regarding the release of hostages captured on October 7 following the assault on the Jewish nation.
Haniyeh’s remarks came after Hamas communicated its desire for the truce to mediators in Qatar. “The movement delivered its response to the brothers in Qatar and the mediators, and we are close to reaching a truce agreement,” Haniyeh said.
The senior Hamas leader however, did not provide any other details on the said agreement.
According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), around 70 per cent of the militant group’s top leadership has been killed in the military’s ongoing ground offensive in Gaza. But it is yet to be seen if Israel agrees for a truce, including the swapping of Palestinian prisoners.
The Israel government is also under pressure from the families of the hostages. According to authorities, 237 people are held captive in Gaza, including Israelis and foreign nationals. On Monday, the Israeli military spokesperson said that 40 of the hostages are children.
So far, four civilian hostages have been released by Hamas; one Israeli soldier was rescued by the forces; and three bodies of hostages have reportedly been retrieved.
IDF surrounds Gaza’s Jabalya region
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Tuesday said that it has surrounded Jabalya region of the Gaza Strip which is considered one of the strongholds of Hamas.
The IDF in a statement said that its artillery unit from the 215th brigade and also its air strikes have helped encircle the region.
“The IDF has destroyed the terror infrastructure with combined attacks from the ground as well as from the air,” it added.
The statement noted that combat forces from the 551st division along with special forces opened the path for the other battalions to enter Jabalya and also to thwart the attack from Hamas men.
“The IDF destroyed several tunnel shafts and captured many buildings from which Hamas had operated after killing many members of the terror outfit,” the statement added.
The IDF launched the ground invasion of the Gaza Strip on October 27 and has now reached the Gaza main area and has taken control of the Al-Shifa hospital complex which it claimed was the centre of Hamas operations including its underground tunnel network.(IANS)