Gaza Destruction from Nine-Month Offensive Pushes Hamas to Soften Cease-Fire Demands, Officials Say

Jul 8, 2024, 10:40 AM

The extensive destruction in the Gaza Strip, resulting from a nine-month Israeli offensive, has likely influenced Hamas to soften its cease-fire demands. According to several officials from the Middle East and the U.S., the devastation may have led Hamas to drop its previous condition that Israel ends the war before negotiating a hostage deal. This development was reported by the Associated Press on Monday. The softened demands are seen as a step towards a cease-fire agreement, officials say.