Hamas leaders plead for terror chiefs to accept ceasefire deal

(Israel Hayom via JNS) — Israel’s nine-month offensive in response to Hamas’s attack on Oct. 7 has likely influenced the terrorist organization to ease its demands in ceasefire negotiations, according to several officials in the Middle East and the U.S., the Associated Press reports.

Over the weekend, Hamas appeared to drop its longstanding insistence that Israel commit to ending the war as part of any ceasefire agreement. This change has sparked renewed optimism for progress in internationally mediated talks.

Recent internal communications viewed by AP reveal messages signed by several senior...