The US says that a ceasefire and prisoner deal in Gaza are very close.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed in a press conference with his French counterpart Jean-Noël Beyrouth in Paris that a ceasefire in Gaza is very close, while an agreement on the hostages is also likely to be reached very soon.
Indirect talks are being held between Israel and Hamas in Qatar for a ceasefire in Gaza. A statement issued by the Qatari Foreign Ministry said that ceasefire talks in Gaza are continuing at a technical level and delegations are meeting continuously in Cairo and Doha. Israel has made new accusations against Hamas for its failure to reach a ceasefire agreement in the Palestinian Gaza Strip.
Israeli Foreign Ministry Director-General Aiden Bartal said that the only way to reach an agreement is to put pressure on the Hamas movement. Countries that have influence over Hamas can play an important role in reaching a ceasefire agreement. Hamas is the only obstacle to the release of the Gamaliels.
Hamas, on the other hand, has agreed to a list of 34 prisoners presented by Israel. The prisoners will be exchanged as part of a possible ceasefire agreement. Hamas says any agreement is conditional on Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza and a permanent ceasefire.
