Tel aviv: The Israeli army has urged the political leadership to pursue a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip following nearly two years of conflict. This recommendation was made public by a senior military official on Sunday, highlighting the potential for a resolution to the ongoing hostilities.

According to Anadolu Agency, the public broadcaster KAN cited the military official's statement, emphasizing the army's readiness for a ceasefire. The official expressed optimism about the possibility of finalizing an agreement within the week, contingent on political decisions.

The army has indicated its willingness to demonstrate flexibility depending on the political leadership's choices, although no specific details were provided. This recommendation comes as the Israeli military has intensified its operations in Gaza, further exacerbating the siege and affecting civilians in the Palestinian territory.

In a significant development on Sunday, the Israeli army issued an evacuation warning to residents of Deir al-Balah, signaling a potential escalation with a new ground offensive. This marks the first such warning since the conflict began, aligning with ongoing indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas in Doha, Qatar, aimed at reaching a ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal.

On the negotiation front, a Palestinian source disclosed that Hamas has received updated maps from mediators, detailing areas under Israeli control in Gaza. Hamas is currently reviewing these maps as part of the negotiation process.

The conflict has resulted in the loss of nearly 59,000 Palestinian lives, predominantly women and children, since October 2023. The military campaign has devastated Gaza, collapsing its health infrastructure and triggering severe food shortages.

In a related legal development, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, citing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Additionally, Israel is facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice over its actions in the enclave.