Hamas agrees to new ceasefire proposal from mediators without conditions

The conflict between Israel and Hamas has moved one step closer to a ceasefire after Hamas agreed to a proposal by mediators for a ceasefire without any conditions.

Our Choi Soo-hyung reports.

Palestine militant group Hamas has agreed to a new ceasefire proposal put forward by mediators Egypt and Qatar.

On Monday local time, Hamas official Basem Naim posted on Facebook that he prays for the flames of war to be extinguished, announcing the group's acceptance of the new plan.

Another Hamas source stressed the group accepted the proposal in full, without asking for any changes.

The plan calls for a 60-day halt to fighting, the release of 10 surviving hostages and the bodies of 18 held in Gaza, as well as the transfer of Israeli troops to allow humanitarian aid into the Gaza.

It also includes the release of 200 Palestinian prisoners and 1,500 war detainees.

Egypt has hinted at a possible UN peacekeeping deployment in Gaza after the war, signaling security guarantees for the territory.

Israel has yet to issue an official response.

But Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed Hamas accepted the deal because of Israel's tough stance and its ongoing push to capture Gaza.

"I spoke with the minister of defense and the chief of staff about our plans for Gaza City and the completion of our missions. And like you, I hear the reports in the media, and from them you can get one impression ---Hamas is under massive pressure."

Meanwhile, the international human rights group Amnesty International has accused Israel of deliberately starving residents in Gaza.

Amnesty said its report was based on interviews with hospital staff and displaced civilians in the enclave.

Israel, however, has rejected the claim, insisting that there is no malnutrition in Gaza.

Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News.