After dropping key demand, Hamas clears way for possible cease-fire, officials say

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza — Hamas has given its initial approval of a U.S.-backed proposal for a phased cease-fire deal in Gaza, dropping a key demand that Israel commit up front to a complete end to the war, a Hamas official and an Egyptian official said Saturday. The apparent compromise by the militant group, which controlled Gaza before triggering the war with an October 7 terror attack on Israel, could deliver the first pause in fighting since November and set the stage for further talks on ending a devastating nine months of fighting.