ISRAEL AND HAMAS EDGE CLOSER TO CEASEFIRE & HOSTAGE DEAL: REPORT

Israel and Hamas are close to agreeing on a deal for a ceasefire and hostage release, CNN reported citing an Israeli source familiar to the negotiations. This development follows Hamas' confirmation that they have "exchanged some ideas" with mediators in an effort to halt "the aggression.

Israeli officials believe Hamas’ latest response will enable the two parties to enter detailed negotiations to reach an agreement, CNN quoted the source as saying.

While Hamas has recently responded in a way that may allow both parties to proceed to detailed negotiations, a final agreement has not yet been reached. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu must approve moving forward, and extensive negotiations will be required to finalize the agreement. These negotiations are expected to address the specifics of the exchange, including the identification of Palestinian prisoners to be released and the order of releases.

Israeli negotiators will meet with political leaders, including Netanyahu, in the coming days to decide whether to advance to this detailed negotiation phase. Hamas has confirmed passing their response to an Israeli proposal through mediators Qatar and Egypt and reiterated their demand for a complete ceasefire.

“We have put forward some demands that achieve securing access to a complete ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces,” Basem Naim, a member of Hamas’ political bureau was quoted as saying.

On Wednesday, Hamas stated that they had "exchanged some ideas" with mediators to stop "the aggression against our Palestinian people." Meanwhile, the Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency leading the negotiations, confirmed that Egyptian and Qatari mediators had delivered Hamas’ latest response to Israel.

“Israel is evaluating the remarks and will convey its reply to the mediators,” the Mossad statement said without providing any additional details.

The development follows a warning from the Hostage and Missing Families Forum, which stated that millions of Israelis could take to the streets if the government fails to secure a deal for the hostages' release

“The people of Israel show time and time again in every poll that they are in favor of a complete deal for the return of all hostages. We will not allow the government’s ministers to torpedo the deal again,” the statement said.

“The government is at the highest moral test of its tenure: the continuation of abandonment or a determined action for rescue and restoration,” the statement added. “It’s either the complete return of the hostages or all Israeli citizens will be taking to the roads and intersections.”