RABAT, December 12. /TASS/. The Palestinian radical movement Hamas and Israel may begin talks on a new deal to exchange hostages next week, Al Arabiya television reported, citing a Palestinian official.

"We expect major talks on a new prisoner exchange agreement next week," the official said. "Hamas demanded a total ceasefire as it did not close the door to a humanitarian truce on new terms," he added. According to him, although "the way toward a new truce in the Gaza Strip is currently being paved, proper talks have yet to begin."

On November 22, Hamas reported reaching an agreement with Israel, mediated by Qatar and Egypt, on a humanitarian truce in the Gaza Strip that came into effect on November 24.

On the morning of December 1, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) accused Hamas of violating the ceasefire and renewed fighting in the Palestinian enclave.