The deal’s framework calls for a six-week pause in fighting that could lead to an exchange of captives and an increase in aid.
An Israeli delegation is expected soon in Qatar to continue negotiations on a pause in the war against Gaza which could allow the release of captives.
The talks began last week in Paris attended by the heads of Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad and domestic security service Shin Bet, as well as mediators from the United States, Qatar and Egypt.
The Israeli delegation returned from the French capital, with Israeli national security adviser Tzachi Hanegbi saying in a television interview Saturday evening that “there is probably room to move toward an agreement.”
According to Israeli media, negotiators had a meeting with the Israeli cabinet, which agreed to send a delegation to Qatar in the coming days to continue negotiations.
Tel Aviv Tribune’s Willem Marx, reporting from occupied East Jerusalem, said Israeli media were discussing details of a framework for talks, which could potentially result in a pause in fighting for up to six weeks if a captive is released every day from Gaza.
“It appears that around 40 Israeli hostages will be released – female civilians, female soldiers, elderly men with serious health problems – in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners currently detained or in Israeli jails. »
Marx said a deal could also lead to a considerable increase in humanitarian aid for the Gaza Strip and a potential return of Palestinians to heavily bombed and attacked areas in the northern part of the enclave.
“Hamas, especially, has not commented on any of this,” he said.
Before the latest round of negotiations, Hamas said it would accept nothing less than a complete cessation of fighting and an end to the siege of Gaza, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected, emphasizing “victory total” on the armed group.
Nearly 30,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been confirmed killed by the health ministry in Gaza, and thousands more are missing and likely still under the rubble.
More than 100 captives, including Israelis and other nationals, were freed as part of a week-long pause in fighting in November that also saw hundreds of Palestinians freed from Israeli prisons.
“We need a new government”
In Israel, pressure has been growing on Netanyahu and his war cabinet to reach a deal guaranteeing the release of captives.
Thousands of protesters gathered again on Saturday at what is now known as Tel Aviv’s “Hostage Square” to demand faster action and new elections, with police using water cannons to disperse the crowds .
Tel Aviv Tribune’s Hamdah Salhut, reporting from Tel Aviv, said Saturday’s rally was “the biggest show of force since the start of the war.”
“Anti-government protesters say they will continue to come out in force every Saturday until their message is received by the Israeli government. »
Neria Bar, a protester, told Tel Aviv Tribune that the government has failed and must be replaced.
“We need a new government, new people, new leadership, someone who cares about us and thinks about us, not just about themselves,” she said.
