Hamas announced its readiness to start negotiations on a cease-fire in Gaza.

The Palestinian Hamas movement is ready to start negotiations on a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip and the release of hostages. This was announced on Thursday, April 17, by the leader of the movement in Khalil al-Haya.

"The movement underlines its readiness to immediately begin negotiations that would allow the release of all hostages and our prisoners whose release has been agreed upon," he said during an address broadcast by the Qatar—based Al Jazeera television channel.

According to al-Haya, a cease-fire can begin in exchange for the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.

Peace of forces: Hamas approves Egypt's Gaza plan amid protests

Israel demands the surrender of weapons from the Palestinian movement.

On April 15, the Turkish newspaper Daily Sabah reported, citing the Gaza Ministry of Health, that more than 51,000 people had been killed in the enclave since the escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict began. In addition, over 116,000 residents of the Gaza Strip were injured.

The IDF resumed military operations against Hamas in Gaza on March 18. The press service of the Gaza Ministry of Health reported on March 28 that more than 890 people have been killed and over 1,980 injured in Israeli attacks since then.