The head of Hamas has confirmed that the group has received an offer of a hostage return deal from Israel, saying it will study it and is "open" to serious discussions on the issue. Ismail Haniya said that Hamas received the proposal, which was circulated at a meeting in Paris, and is in the process of studying it and submitting its response to it, based on the fact that the priority is to stop the aggression. He also said that any deal would require a complete and permanent ceasefire.
"The movement is open to the consideration of any serious and practical initiative or idea, provided that they lead to a comprehensive cessation of aggression, the lifting of the siege, and the achievement of a serious exchange of prisoners," the statement said. It has also been confirmed that senior Hamas leaders have been invited to Egypt to negotiate a deal.
