Hamas drops key demand to accept phased US deal on ceasefire, hostages
![Hamas drops key demand to accept phased US deal on ceasefire, hostages](https://s.france24.com/media/display/878a188c-3b8b-11ef-9499-005056bfb2b6/w:1024/p:16x9/a474c1d17461536e80e1a14d2db4528e8b64a99f.jpg)
Hamas on Saturday tentatively accepted a US-backed proposal for a phased cease-fire in Gaza, abandoning its demand for an upfront commitment from Israel to end the war entirely. This potential agreement, still under negotiation, could initiate a six-week cease-fire involving hostage and prisoner exchanges and pave the way for broader talks to conclude the nine-month conflict.