Negotiators scrambled on Wednesday to strike a deal between Israel and Hamas on a ceasefire that would free hostages held in Gaza, after more than a year of devastating war that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and destroyed the most of the area.
Neither Israel nor Hamas have publicly accepted the deal, and Israeli and US officials say they are awaiting a final response from Hamas. Palestinian groups said on Tuesday that negotiations had entered the “final stage”.
Mediators and negotiators in Qatar have been trying to resolve the outstanding issues, according to two officials familiar with the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive diplomacy.
Among the issues is a map of how Israeli forces will return to Gaza during the ceasefire, as well as a list of Palestinian prisoners scheduled to be released in exchange for Israeli and foreign hostages, one of the officials said. .
Israel also called for a mechanism to prevent armed fighters from returning to northern Gaza. Negotiators are also trying to work out details for the inspection of hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians who are expected to cross into northern Gaza from the south, many of whom have been displaced, in the event of a truce, the official said. responsible.
The latest round of talks is being held in Qatar, a key negotiator along with Egypt and the United States. Majed al-Ansari, spokesman for the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said on Tuesday that the two sides had overcome major differences.
But for the deal to be implemented, the Hamas negotiation team in Doha must also get the consent of the group’s commanders in Gaza, including Mohammad Sinwar, whose brother Yahya led the group before he was killed. Israel in October.
Hamas officials did not respond to questions about whether Mr. Sinwar responded to the proposal.
In Israel, powerful members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government have also expressed opposition to the deal. But on Wednesday, Gideon Saar, Israel’s foreign minister, said he believed a majority would sign an agreement if it came to a cabinet vote.
Diplomacy on foot has failed to end months of fighting in Gaza, which began after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023 that killed 1,200 people and took 250 hostages. About 105 captives were released after a week-long ceasefire in November 2023 in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners.
Israel and Hamas held several indirect talks, which eventually collapsed amid disagreements. Officials familiar with the negotiations expressed cautious optimism and noted that there is always the possibility of talks.
The current deal is similar to the three-step ceasefire framework President Biden unveiled in late May, according to several officials familiar with the talks. Israel and Hamas will first agree to a six-week ceasefire in which Hamas will release women, elderly men and sick hostages in exchange for the release of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.
According to this proposal, Israel and Hamas will then declare a “permanent ceasefire”, the Israeli army will withdraw from Gaza and the remaining hostages will be replaced by Palestinian prisoners. But the details are a major point of contention: Hamas has demanded that Israel commit to a ceasefire, which Israel has resisted.
