Mediators from Egypt and Qatar, alongside the current U.S. administration, have made significant progress in talks to halt the 14-month-long war in Gaza.
Sources familiar with the closed-door meetings told reporters that the parties are nearing an agreement to release hostages held in Gaza in the coming days, with negotiations in Cairo showing clear progress.
The U.S. administration, working intensively with mediators from Egypt and Qatar, have increased efforts to secure a deal before President Joe Biden leaves office next month. “We believe – and the Israelis have said this – that we’re getting closer, and no doubt about it, we believe that, but we also are cautious in our optimism,” White House spokesperson John Kirby said in an interview with Fox News.
Sources indicated that a ceasefire deal could be days away. The proposed agreement would end the fighting and secure the return of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.
Meanwhile, Hamas stated that a deal was possible if Israel refrained from introducing new conditions. A Palestinian official close to the mediation efforts confirmed that negotiations are serious, with discussions carefully reviewing every detail.
