Netanyahu Denies Hamas Has Approved Gaza's Armistice Proposal

JAKARTA - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denied Hamas had approved a proposal for a Gaza ceasefire from Qatar mediators.

Earlier, Israeli officials said Palestinian militant groups had given their approval.

Israeli media channels reported that after the green light from Hamas, the deal would be officially announced on Thursday and would take effect on Sunday with the release of the first hostages.

However, the prime minister's office said Hamas had not yet conveyed his answer to the proposal.

"Contrary to the circulating reports, the terror organization Hamas has yet to give its response to the deal," the prime minister's office said.