Israel's senior delegation joined the indirect ceasefire talks with Hamas in the Qatari capital Doha on Sunday, with both sides indicating progress in the negotiations, Reuters reports.
The indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel have made progress toward a ceasefire agreement, Palestinian officials said on Sunday.
"We are not far from a ceasefire agreement if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responds positively to the main issues under discussion," said Tahir al-Nono, a senior Hamas official. Al-Nono added that Hamas remains "flexible" in working with mediators to end the conflict, emphasizing the group's main goal is "ending the war."
A second Hamas official, speaking anonymously, stated that the final framework for a ceasefire agreement is nearly complete. "We are very close to reaching the ceasefire," the official said, noting that technical committees involving both sides and mediators have finalized preparations for the agreement.
According to Hamas sources, the proposed deal includes two phases. In the initial phase, Hamas will release several Israeli hostages, including women, children, elderly individuals, and humanitarian cases. In exchange, Israel will release dozens of Palestinian detainees, withdraw its forces from parts of Gaza, and facilitate the return of displaced residents to their homes in northern Gaza.
The second phase, to be negotiated during the first, is expected to address broader issues, including a full ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal, Gaza's reconstruction, and a comprehensive prisoner exchange.
Netanyahu and U.S. President Joe Biden discussed over phone the progress in negotiations aimed at securing the release of hostages in Gaza on Sunday, Netanyahu's office said.
Netanyahu briefed Biden on a mandate given to negotiators in Qatar to advance efforts for the hostages' release. The senior Israeli delegation arrived in Doha earlier on Sunday, including Mossad chief David Barnea, Shin Bet security head Ronen Bar, and the military's hostage affairs coordinator Nitzan Alon. The delegation held discussions with Qatari mediators and U.S. officials.
According to a White House statement, Biden stressed the "immediate need for a ceasefire and the return of hostages."
Some media outlets said that Netanyahu might have authorized the senior delegation to sign relevant agreements.
Also on Saturday, Netanyahu met with Steve Witkoff, incoming Mideast envoy for U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, in Jerusalem. According to Hebrew media reports, Witkoff conveyed Trump's firm intention to secure a hostage deal before his inauguration on Jan. 20. Channel 12 news reported that Witkoff urged Netanyahu to ensure both sides demonstrate flexibility to finalize an agreement.
