Gaza peace deal "closer than ever" if Israel imposes no new conditions: Hamas

GAZA, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- Leaders of three Palestinian factions have agreed that a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip is "closer than ever" if Israel stops setting new conditions, Hamas said on Saturday.

These remarks followed a meeting in Cairo on Friday among leaders from Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, according to a statement from Hamas.

The three factions reviewed the latest developments in ceasefire negotiations and the prisoner-for-hostage exchange deal, reaffirming their shared commitment to ending the "aggression" against the Palestinian people, which has persisted for over 14 months, said the statement.

It noted that the delegations also discussed the possibility of establishing a community support committee to manage post-war Gaza. ■