Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar says “progress has been made in the negotiations”, but Hamas believes that some issues still need to be resolved.
Mediators reportedly presented to Israel and Hamas on Monday the final version of an agreement which, they hope, will end the war which has opposed them for more than 15 months.
Officials said U.S. and regional mediators made significant progress overnight toward securing a ceasefire and the release of dozens of hostages still held in Gaza, but no agreement had yet been reached. been concluded.
Four officials, on condition of anonymity, acknowledged that progress had been made and declared that the coming days would be decisive in ending this conflict which has destabilized the Middle East since October 7, 2023.
According to a US official, all parties would be “closer than ever” of an agreement, but he considers that “everything can still collapse”.
Another person familiar with the talks confirms that there was a breakthrough in the night and a proposed agreement was on the table. Negotiators from Israel and Hamas will now submit it to their leaders for final approval, the source added.
Finally, an Egyptian official said that all parties wanted to reach an agreement before Donald Trump’s inauguration next Monday.
Sensitive questions remain unanswered
Asked about the talks at a press conference, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said: “Progress has been made and I hope we will see things come to fruition in a short period of time. But this remains to be proven”.
A Hamas official said a number of sensitive issues still needed to be resolved, including Israel’s commitment to ending the war and details relating to the withdrawal of Israeli troops and the exchange of hostages and prisoners.
Egypt, Qatar and the Biden administration have spent more than a year trying to negotiate a deal to end Gaza’s deadliest war ever and secure the release of hostages captured in the Gaza attack. October 7, 2023 of Hamas against Israel, which sparked the conflict.
Several times over the past year, U.S. leaders have already said they are close to a deal.
A gradual ceasefire is currently under study between Israel and Hamas. Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly indicated thathe only committed to the first phase, which would involve a partial release of the hostages in exchange for a cessation of fighting for several weeks.
The possibility of a lasting ceasefire and other issues would be negotiated after the start of the first phase. Hamas has demanded a total withdrawal and a complete end to the war and hopes that this first phase will achieve this result.
