Israel and Hamas are on course to reach a prolonged ceasefire deal within the next two weeks, the New York Times has reported, citing unnamed US officials close to the negotiations. Around 1,200 people were killed and some 240 taken hostage during the incursion into Israel by Hamas on October 7. Read more: Implications of ICJ’s Decision in Genocide Case Against IsraelThe new ceasefire deal would be “more expansive in scope” than the previous one, the officials told the paper. Egyptian officials told the Wall Street Journal on Saturday of a much similar plan offered to Israel and Hamas by international mediators. However, they claimed that the ceasefire would be a longer one, lasting up to four months.

Source: International New York Times January 29, 2024 13:06 UTC