Ceasefire could be announced in coming hours, Israeli analyst says

Israel is coming closer to agreeing to a ceasefire, recent reports continue to show, as pressure from the US and European Union mounts.

Yossi Melman, an Israeli security and intelligence commentator who has written extensively on the situation for MEE, said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could announce a ceasefire as early as Thursday evening, local time. Such a measure, however, would rely on the Hamas movement also agreeing to freeze its missile launches, Israeli military, and diplomatic sources told him.

Israeli military and diplomatic sources assess that PM Netanyahu will declare this evening an unilateral cease fire due to the US and EU pressure hoping that if Hamas doesn't respect it, IDF will continue its strikes and bombing.
— Yossi Melman (@yossi_melman) May 20, 2021

Earlier on Thursday, the Wall Street Journal, citing people involved in the discussions, said a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was expected to be announced by at least Friday.