Hamas agrees to new truce plan as death toll hits 62,000

1,965 KILLED WHILE SEEKING AID OR KILLED CLOSE TO AID DISTRIBUTION SITES

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A Hamas source told AFP yesterday that the Palestinian militants had agreed to a new proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza, devastated by more than 22 months of war between the Islamist group and Israel.

"Hamas has delivered its response to the mediators, confirming that Hamas and the factions agreed to the new ceasefire proposal without requesting any amendments," the Hamas source told AFP, requesting anonymity.

A Palestinian official earlier told AFP that mediators had proposed an initial 60-day truce and hostage release in two batches. “The new proposal is a framework agreement to launch negotiations on a permanent ceasefire,” the official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Elusive ceasefire