Hamas accepts a U.N. resolution backing a plan to end the war with Israel in Gaza and is ready to negotiate details, a senior official of the Palestinian militant group said on Tuesday in what the U.S. Secretary of State called "a hopeful sign".
Conversations on plans for Gaza after the Israel-Hamas war ends will continue on Tuesday afternoon and in the next couple of days, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in Tel Aviv after talks with Israeli leaders.
"It's imperative that we have these plans."
Blinken met Israeli officials on Tuesday in a push to end the eight-month-old Israeli air and ground war against Hamas that has devastated Gaza, a day after President Joe Biden's proposal for a truce was approved by the U.N. Security Council.
Ahead of Blinken's trip, Israel and Hamas both repeated hardline positions that have undermined previous mediation to end the fighting, while Israel has pressed on with assaults in central and southern Gaza, among the bloodiest of the war.
On Tuesday, however, senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri, who is based outside Gaza, said it accepted the ceasefire resolution and was ready to negotiate over the details.
It was up to Washington to ensure that Israel abides by it, he added.
He said Hamas accepted the formula stipulating the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and a swap of hostages held in Gaza for Palestinian prisoners jailed in Israel.
.Here are the top political news stories for today.
@ISIDEWITH2yrs2Y
Should the international community get involved in enforcing the peace agreement, and how does that make you feel about global responsibility?
@9NY9JJ7 2yrs2Y
Yes. We are getting involved by supporting or sanctioning countries without bothering to actually understand the issue. It's easy to lecture on ideas when you don't have to implement them your selves
@9NX97NP2yrs2Y
We should all strive for peace and force Israel to stop killing innocent people
@9NYC68G2yrs2Y
Yes; we cannot trust those ethnically cleansing a people to stop and enforce peace
@9NYCTJN2yrs2Y
should encourage peace but not spend significant amounts of our resources to do so. we have a responsibility to deal with the issues facing our own people before dealing with the issues of others.
@ISIDEWITH2yrs2Y
Is it ethical to swap prisoners in the context of peace negotiations, and why do you feel that way?
@9NY9JJ7 2yrs2Y
Yes. If the peace is genuine the prisoners pose no threat. If they still pose a threat the peace is not genuine and the deal should not be made
@9NYCTJN2yrs2Y
peace should be the goal but if these prisoners have committed serious crimes then they should be punished as long as the law is fair
Anything that results in peace for the majority should at least be considered, although peoples live should not be frivolously traded
@9NYC68G2yrs2Y
If that is what it takes to make the first steps towards peace, I am open to it, but it is awful that that is what is necessary to do so
@ISIDEWITH2yrs2Y
How do you feel about the idea of negotiating peace with a group that has previously been involved in conflict?
@9NY9JJ7 2yrs2Y
Peace is only made between parties in conflict.
However peace cannot be achieved until at least one side gives up on their Goals
@9NYCTJN2yrs2Y
it is necessary to negotiate regardless of their previous involvement in conflict
@9NYCWP52yrs2Y
Doesn’t sit right hamas should not be allowed to get away with that they have done just because they haven’t protected thier citizens
@9NYC68G2yrs2Y
I am pessimistic that peace will occur, but it is our responsibility to make those negotiations
@ISIDEWITH2yrs2Y
What do you think about the role of international organizations like the U.N. in resolving conflicts between countries or groups?
@ISIDEWITH2yrs2Y
Can a lasting peace be achieved when both sides have committed to such hardline positions prior to negotiations?
@9NYC68G2yrs2Y
No, not as long as Israel is committing genocide without punishment from the UN
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