Hamas to respond to deal offer on the evening of February 4th

The Saudi Arabian channel Al-Hadath reports that Hamas and other Gaza factions will deliver their answer to the proposed hostage deal at 7 p.m. on Sunday. The proposal includes a ceasefire and the exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners.

According to Israeli media, the Gaza population will not be allowed to return to the northern and central parts of the Strip during the ceasefire. Israel won't withdraw troops from Gaza and continue gathering intelligence.

Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported Hamas' positive response to the deal proposal. However, on February 1st, in an interview with the Dubai channel Al Arabiya, a representative of Hamas leadership in Lebanon, Osama Hamdan, said that agreement is still "far away," and negotiations are "at an initial stage."