JERUSALEM, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Israel's Mossad intelligence agency on Tuesday announced the conclusion of a new round of talks in Cairo, stating that a proposal for a ceasefire deal with Hamas, which would secure the release of hostages held in Gaza, has been drafted by brokers and is backed by Israel.
The Israeli team, composed of officials from the Mossad, Shin Bet internal security agency, and the military, is expected to return to Israel in the afternoon," the Mossad said in a statement.
"In the framework of the talks, under useful Egyptian mediation, the mediators formulated an updated proposal for Hamas," said the Mossad. "Israel expects the mediators to take vigorous action regarding Hamas to advance the negotiations toward a deal."
Dozens of hostages are still held in Gaza following Hamas's surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. According to the Hamas-run Health Ministry on Tuesday, Israel's retaliatory war claimed the lives of at least 32,916 people in Gaza and wreaked widespread famine and damage across the Palestinian enclave. ■
