Hamas has given initial approval to a U.S.-backed proposal for a phased cease-fire in Gaza, dropping its key demand for an upfront commitment from Israel to completely end the war, according to a Hamas official and an Egyptian official on Saturday. This compromise could mark the first pause in fighting since November and set the stage for further talks to end a devastating nine months of conflict, though a final deal is not yet guaranteed.

Inside Gaza, the Health Ministry reported that an Israeli airstrike on a school-turned-shelter in the Nuseirat refugee camp killed at least 16 people and wounded at least 50 others, including children. Israel’s military stated that it targeted “terrorists” in the area and attempted to minimize civilian casualties.

The phased deal proposed by Washington includes a six-week cease-fire during which older, sick, and female hostages would be released in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. During this period, Israeli forces would withdraw from densely populated areas of Gaza, allowing displaced people to return to their homes in northern Gaza, the officials said. Female soldiers would be among those released in the first phase.

Subsequent negotiations would focus on the release of the remaining male hostages in exchange for additional Palestinian prisoners. The final phase would include the return of any remaining hostages and the start of a long-term reconstruction project in Gaza.

Hamas seeks written guarantees from mediators that Israel will continue to negotiate a permanent cease-fire once the first phase is implemented. A senior Hamas official indicated that the group agreed to the deal after receiving verbal commitments that the war would not resume and negotiations would persist until a permanent cease-fire is achieved. However, Hamas wants these guarantees in writing.

Previous cease-fire talks have faltered over Hamas’ insistence on a complete end to the war. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has proposed temporary pauses but not a full cessation until Israel achieves its objectives of dismantling Hamas’ military and governance capabilities and securing the return of all hostages. Israel is concerned that Hamas might extend the cease-fire indefinitely without releasing all hostages, while Hamas fears Israel will restart the war post-hostage release.

Netanyahu’s office and Washington have not commented on the recent developments. The Israeli prime minister recently confirmed that the Mossad spy agency’s chief visited Qatar, a key mediator, but noted that significant gaps remain between the parties.

Families of hostages expressed cautious optimism, urging Netanyahu not to thwart potential deals. Anti-government protests continued on Saturday night.

The conflict began after Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel, resulting in the deaths of about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and the abduction of around 250 individuals. Israel says Hamas holds about 120 hostages, some of whom are believed dead. Since then, Israeli air and ground offensives have killed more than 38,000 people in Gaza, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The offensive has also created a severe humanitarian crisis, leaving hundreds of thousands on the brink of famine.

The proposed cease-fire would allow approximately 600 trucks of humanitarian aid into Gaza daily, with half directed to the severely affected northern region. Recent Israeli assaults on the southern city of Rafah have reduced aid supplies to a trickle.

Additionally, the Hamas-run Interior Ministry reported four police officers killed in an Israeli airstrike in Rafah, with eight others wounded. Meanwhile, the conflict with Hezbollah continues with low-level clashes. An Israeli airstrike in eastern Lebanon killed Meitham Mustafa al-Attar, an engineer in Hezbollah’s air defense unit.

While fears of the conflict escalating to a full-scale war persist, the latest developments offer a glimmer of hope for a resolution and much-needed humanitarian relief for Gaza’s residents.