Negotiations to end the over 15-month conflict between Israel and Hamas are reportedly nearing a breakthrough, with all sides expressing optimism about a potential agreement. However, several key issues remain unresolved, including the details of a ceasefire, the exchange of hostages, and the withdrawal of Israeli troops. Key mediators are working to bridge the gap between the two sides, but the situation remains fragile.
and the release of scores of hostages held in the Gaza Strip, but a deal hasn’t been reached yet, officials said Monday. and said the coming days would be critical for ending more than 15 months of fighting that has destabilized the Middle East. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss the talks.
The person said mediators from Qatar had put renewed pressure on Hamas to accept the agreement, while U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, was pressing the Israelis. Witkoff recently joined the negotiations and has been in the region in recent days. The Qatari palace said the emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, met with Hamas’ delegation in Doha as well as with Witkoff and Brett McGurk, President Joe Biden’s top Middle East adviser. Al Thani also spoke by phone with Biden, who stressed the urgent need for a deal.
A deal could weaken Netanyahu’s coalition, which includes two far-right factions that have threatened to leave the government if Israel makes too many concessions. Members of the opposition have promised to give Netanyahu the support he needs to approve a hostage release, but the hardliners’ anger could be a source of instability down the road.
In Gaza, Palestinians hope for a stop to Israel’s military campaign, which has devastated much of the territory and driven around 90% of its 2.3 million people from their homes. At least 14 Palestinians, including a family of five, were killed in three separate Israeli airstrikes Monday in northern Gaza, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
In Tel Aviv, dozens of supporters of the hostages spelled out “HOME!” at the entrance to the city’s main military base.
ISRAEL-HAMAS CONFLICT CEASEFIRE NEGOTIATIONS HOSTAGE EXCHANGE GAZA STRIP MIDDLE EAST POLITICS
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