Negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza reached a critical stage on Wednesday as marathon talks in Qatar pushed both sides closer to an agreement. U.S. and Egyptian leaders are focusing efforts on finalizing a deal within the coming hours.
More than eight hours of discussions in Doha have fueled optimism among officials from Qatar, Egypt, the United States, Israel, and Hamas. An agreement for a truce in the besieged enclave, alongside the release of hostages, now appears closer than ever.
Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari announced that both sides have been presented with a text, and that negotiations are underway to finalize the remaining details.
A senior Hamas official disclosed that while progress has been made, the group is awaiting Israel’s submission of maps detailing how its forces would withdraw from Gaza before delivering their final response.
U.S. President Joe Biden, whose administration has been participating alongside an envoy of President-elect Donald Trump, expressed optimism about the deal’s proximity. Biden and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi discussed the negotiations’ progress on Tuesday.
“Both leaders committed to remain in close coordination directly and through their teams over the coming hours,” the White House stated following their telephone call. The two presidents emphasized the urgent need for the deal to be implemented.
Hamas indicated that talks have reached the final steps, expressing hope that this round of negotiations will lead to a successful agreement.
An Israeli official confirmed that talks have entered a critical phase, acknowledging that while some details remain to be resolved, the parties are close to reaching an accord. “We are close; we are not there yet,” the official stated.
Reference(s):
Gaza ceasefire appears close as U.S., Egypt focus on 'coming hours'
cgtn.com
