Hamas says group ready for Gaza ceasefire after Hezbollah appears to lay down arms

Hamas is ready to reach a ceasefire in Gaza, a senior official in the Palestinian terror group says, hailing the truce that took hold in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah.

“We have informed mediators in Egypt, Qatar and Turkey that Hamas is ready for a ceasefire agreement and a serious deal to exchange prisoners,” the official tells AFP. He accuses Israel of obstructing an agreement.

Officials from the US and Israel had expressed hopes as the Lebanon ceasefire took shape that the loss of Hezbollah’s military support would help push Hamas to sue for peace. The group has long maintained that it wants a ceasefire, but has been unwilling to meet Israeli demands on hostages, according to Jerusalem. International mediators say Israeli demands regarding leaving troops in Gaza have also been an obstacle, blaming both sides for the impasse.