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Negotiations Intensify as Israel and Hamas Approach Ceasefire Deal
DOHA/CAIRO (Reuters) – Mediators presented a final draft aimed at concluding the ongoing conflict in Gaza to Israel and Hamas on Monday, following what officials described as a significant breakthrough in negotiations that took place late Sunday night. Envoys from both the Biden and Trump administrations were present during the discussions.
According to a source familiar with the negotiations, Qatar delivered the ceasefire proposal and terms for hostage release to both parties during talks in Doha. These talks included high-ranking figures such as the heads of Israel’s Mossad and Shin Bet intelligence agencies, alongside Qatar’s prime minister.
The upcoming U.S. envoy, Steve Witkoff, participated in these discussions, and it was noted that outgoing Biden administration’s envoy Brett McGurk was also involved. A spokesperson indicated that the next 24 hours would be critical for formalizing the agreement.
Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, the Emir of Qatar, met with a Hamas delegation led by senior official Khalil al-Hayya, focusing on the ceasefire negotiations.
Israeli Kan radio reported that delegates from both Israel and Hamas had received the draft. An Israeli official noted that the Israeli team briefed their leadership on the contents of the proposal, though there was no official comment from Hamas, Israel, or Qatar regarding the draft.
While both sides have refrained from confirming a final agreement, officials acknowledged advancements in discussions. A Hamas representative stated that substantive progress had been made on key issues, emphasizing that they aimed to resolve remaining points swiftly, requesting anonymity due to the sensitivity of the negotiations.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar remarked that the negotiations were being managed collaboratively by teams from both the Biden and Trump administrations. He expressed gratitude to U.S. officials for their dedicated efforts to secure a hostage resolution and conveyed that the situation appeared to be improving compared to earlier discussions.
The United States, alongside Qatar and Egypt, has been engaged in discussions to bring about peace in Gaza for over a year, with limited success up to this point.
An Egyptian security official informed Reuters that the draft provided to both Israel and Hamas was not a definitive agreement but aimed to bridge gaps that had stalled previous talks.
Humanitarian Concerns Amid Continued Violence
Israeli Channel 12 reported preparations within Israeli government institutions for the potential arrival of released hostages who may be weak or ill. The Israeli health ministry has not yet responded to inquiries for further details.
While both parties have generally accepted the idea of a ceasefire in exchange for hostage release, significant points of contention remain. Hamas demands that any agreement must lead to a lasting cessation of hostilities and withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, while Israel insists that it will continue military operations until Hamas has been dismantled.
The inauguration of President-elect Trump on January 20 is perceived in the region as a crucial deadline. Trump has indicated there will be severe consequences if hostage situations are not resolved prior to his taking office, while President Biden has also pushed for a resolution before his term concludes.
Discussions reportedly continued into the early hours of Monday, with Witkoff exerting pressure on the Israeli team to foster an agreement in Doha, assisted by Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani’s efforts towards the Hamas delegation.
Hassan Mahmoud Rashad, head of Egypt’s general intelligence agency, was also engaged in the talks. He departed Doha on Monday, but sources indicated that an intelligence team remained to facilitate ongoing discussions.
Since late November, Witkoff has made several trips to Qatar and Israel. He was in Doha just prior to attending negotiations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Sunday, Biden communicated directly with Netanyahu, underscoring the urgent need for a ceasefire, the return of hostages, and the establishment of humanitarian aid contingent upon halting hostilities under the proposed agreement.
Israel’s military actions in Gaza commenced following an incursion by Hamas fighters in October 2023, which resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 individuals and over 250 hostages being taken, as per Israeli sources. Since that time, Palestinian health officials estimate that over 46,000 individuals have died in Gaza, amid widespread destruction and displacement within the enclave.
Members of the Religious Zionism party, a hardline faction within the Israeli government led by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, have stated their opposition to any deal that does not ensure the comprehensive dismantling of Hamas, voicing concerns that the newly proposed agreement risks compromising Israel’s national security.
As tensions persist, violence continues in Gaza, with Israeli airstrikes resulting in additional casualties, including at least 21 deaths reported on Monday, as confirmed by medical personnel. Among the deceased were five individuals killed in an airstrike targeting a school providing shelter to displaced families.
The Israeli military has also reported the deaths of five soldiers due to ongoing confrontations in northern Gaza, raising the total number of soldiers killed in skirmishes since Saturday to nine.
Intense fighting has been particularly pronounced along Gaza’s northern frontier, where Israel aims to thwart Hamas’s attempts to regroup, while Palestinians accuse Israel of pursuing a strategy to permanently displace residents from the region.
Further complicating the situation, Hamas’s armed wing spokesman, Abu Ubaida, claimed that their fighters have engaged Israeli forces, claiming to have injured or killed at least ten Israeli soldiers within a span of 72 hours.
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