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An agreement had seemed to be within reach for days, and on Wednesday afternoon there was even brief talk of a breakthrough: an Israeli representative had reported a “green light” from Hamas for a deal involving a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of hostages . Shortly afterwards, however, there was a denial from the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: “Contrary to reports, the terrorist organization Hamas has not yet given a response to the agreement.” An unnamed Hamas representative also said, according to Reuters, that Hamas had not actually responded in writing to the mediators’ latest proposal. Another Palestinian representative said that Hamas had already agreed verbally.
