Israel ‘evaluating’ new Hamas ‘ideas’ on halting Gaza war

The Hamas group said on Wednesday it had sent new "ideas" to Qatari mediators aimed at ending the nearly nine-month Gaza war with Israel.

Israel confirmed that it was "evaluating" Hamas "comments" on a deal to free its hostages in the Palestinian territory and would reply.

With the death toll mounting and conditions worsening daily for Gazans, both sides are under increased international pressure to agree to a ceasefire -- more recently based on a roadmap pushed by US President Joe Biden.

Hamas has demanded "a permanent ceasefire and complete withdrawal" of Israeli troops from Gaza.

Israel says there can be no end to hostilities until Hamas releases all hostages taken during the October 7 attacks. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also repeatedly vowed that Israel's Gaza campaign will not cease until Hamas's military and governing capabilities are destroyed.

Hamas said Wednesday evening it was communicating with officials from Qatar, Egypt and Turkey with an eye to ending the conflict.

A child is treated for his injuries sustained in Israeli bombardment in the southern Gaza Strip. AFP

Qatar-based Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh "made contact with the mediator brothers in Qatar and Egypt about the ideas that the movement is discussing with them with the aim of reaching an agreement", the group said in a statement.

It added that "communication also took place between the head of the movement and officials in Turkey".

Qatar, working closely with the United States, has led mediation efforts.

"We exchanged some ideas with the mediator brothers with the aim of stopping the aggression against our Palestinian people," an earlier Hamas statement said.

Netanyahu's office and the Mossad intelligence service confirmed the new approach almost straight away.

Agence France-Presse