Negotiations between Israel and Hamas, mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the US, are in the final stages, with officials expressing optimism that a ceasefire in Gaza is imminent.
After more than eight hours of discussions in Doha, negotiators from the involved parties reported significant progress, though some details remain to be resolved.
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Majed Al Ansari, confirmed that both sides had been presented with a draft agreement and were now focused on finalizing the remaining details.
The talks aim to achieve a phased ceasefire in Gaza, which has been devastated by over a year of violent conflict.
However, a senior Hamas official stated that the group had not yet delivered its response, as it awaited Israel’s submission of maps detailing how its forces would withdraw from the enclave.
US President Joe Biden, who has been directly involved in the talks, expressed confidence that a deal was within reach.
In a phone conversation with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, both leaders emphasized the importance of flexibility from both sides to secure the deal.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also convened a meeting with top security officials on Tuesday to assess the situation, while US Secretary of State Antony Blinken declared that the “ball is now in Hamas’ court,” indicating that the agreement was ready to be implemented should Hamas accept the terms.
Despite the progress, Al Ansari urged caution, warning that while the talks were nearing completion, no official announcement had been made yet.
Hamas echoed the sentiment, with a senior official indicating that the negotiations had reached the final steps, but final approval was still pending.
Meanwhile, an Israeli official remarked that although the talks were entering a critical phase, some details still needed to be worked out before a deal could be finalized.
If successful, the ceasefire agreement would end the fighting that has resulted in a catastrophic loss of life in Gaza.
The war, which began with Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, has led to the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinians and the displacement of Gaza’s population.
Israel has also suffered significant casualties, including 1,210 deaths from the initial attack, along with 251 hostages taken by militants, 94 of whom are still being held in Gaza.
A key component of the ceasefire deal involves the release of hostages, with a focus on returning children and women first. US officials have emphasized that the deal would not only halt the fighting but also ensure the security of Israel while allowing for increased humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Biden also stressed that the ceasefire would offer a chance to provide much-needed relief to Palestinians who have endured immense suffering throughout the conflict.
As negotiations continue, new Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have led to additional casualties, with at least 15 people reported dead following attacks in Deir Al Balah and Rafah.
The UN is also preparing to expand humanitarian assistance to Gaza but faces challenges related to border access and security concerns.
With talks reaching a critical point, the world watches closely as negotiators work to finalize a deal that could bring an end to one of the most devastating conflicts in recent history.