Hamas Meeting on Gaza Ceasefire: Palestinian Group Demands Guarantees for Permanent Solution.

Hamas officials met in Istanbul on Thursday to discuss the terms of a proposed ceasefire agreement in Gaza. Sources indicate that Hamas leaders are largely in agreement with the ceasefire proposal but are seeking strong assurances for a lasting end to the 20-month-long conflict.

Following the meeting, Hamas released a statement confirming that they are consulting with other "Palestinian factions" before providing a formal response.

Hamas has been under intense pressure for the past several months. Their military leadership has been severely disrupted, and Israeli forces have dislodged their fighters from former strongholds in southern and central Gaza. Recently, Israel has intensified its attacks on Gaza, resulting in the deaths of over 250 Palestinians, including many women and children, according to medical workers and civil defense officials.

A source familiar with Hamas's internal deliberations stated that hardline elements within Hamas have reluctantly accepted the necessity of a ceasefire to allow the organization to regroup and plan a new strategy. Since the collapse of the previous ceasefire in March, over 6,000 people have been killed in Gaza, and the severe humanitarian crisis has worsened.

New ceasefire efforts in Gaza gained momentum after the United States secured a truce last month, ending a 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran.