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Ceasefire talks progress between Israel and Hamas

2025-01-13 21:45:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

American and Arab mediators have made significant progress toward a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas — the Palestinian group designated a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union — and the release of hostages being held in the Gaza Strip.

However, the agreement has not yet been reached, officials said on January 13.

Four officials with knowledge of the matter said progress had been made and the coming days would be crucial in ending the 15-month-old fighting that has destabilized the Middle East. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media about the matter.

A US official said that all sides "are closer than ever before, but everything can fall apart". The official declined to give a timeline for a possible deal, saying there is still uncertainty about a pact being reached.

Two other officials, including one linked to Hamas, said there are still some challenges. Several times in the past year, US leaders have said they were on the verge of reaching a deal, but then talks stalled.

Another official informed about the talks said that during the talks held during the night, a proposal-agreement was presented on the table. He said Israeli and Hamas negotiators will send the proposal to their leaders for final approval.

Another person said Qatari mediators have shifted the pressure on Hamas to accept the deal, while Steve Witkoff, the envoy to US President-elect Donald Trump, is putting pressure on the Israelis. Finally, Witkoff joined the negotiations and has been staying in the region for the last few days. This person said that the mediators have submitted the proposal to the parties and have said that the next 24 hours will be important.

An Egyptian official also said there had been progress in the talks, but he said it would take several days before the parties aimed for an agreement, before Trump is inaugurated as president on January 20.

An official linked to Hamas said on condition of anonymity that a number of issues must be resolved before a deal, including Israel's pledge to end the war and details on the withdrawal of Israeli troops, the exchange of hostages and Palestinian prisoners.

The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, met with the Hamas delegation in Doha, along with Witkoff and President Joe Biden's Middle East envoy, Brett McGurk. Thani also talked with Biden and highlighted the urgent need for an agreement.

The Biden administration, along with Egypt and Qatar, have been trying for more than a year to reach an agreement to end the bloodiest war between Israelis and Palestinians and to release the hostages who were taken by Hamas during the October 7, 2023 attack. During the attack, Hamas killed nearly 1,200 people and kidnapped another 250.

Meanwhile, as a result of the Israeli offensive, more than 46,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, most of them women and children, said the Ministry of Health in this enclave./REL