Israeli officials said that Israel has presented what it calls a ‘final’ proposal to Hamas for a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip and the release of hostages held by militants.
The development has come after frantic negotiations as the clock is ticking to January 20, when US President Joe Biden would relinquish office and get replaced by President-elect Donald Trump. The indirect talks between Israel and Hamas have been mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States for more than a year.
The telephone call was held on Sunday between U.S. President Joe Biden and the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the present negotiation status. During the call, President Biden explained to Prime Minister Netanyahu the seriousness of finalizing an agreement at present. In return, National Security Advisor of the United States Jake Sullivan reported on the call to CNN as “very, very close,” still hinting that certain elements were a “real challenge” toward reaching a potential agreement ahead of the power change.
According to Israeli officials, they are waiting for the final word from Hamas after presenting them with the last offer. “If Hamas responds soon, all the details can be finalized within days,” an official told Channel 13.
An Israeli proposal has, according to The Jerusalem Post, presented a three-stage peace plan, but so far, there has not yet been word on a response from Hamas. An Israeli official said, “The outline for the hostage deal is clear, and Israel has come a long, long way. We are moving forward slowly and carefully. We hope that Hamas will stop with its refusals.”
Sources say that negotiations are going well, and Channel 12 reports the emerging deal is similar to an offer from Biden back in May 2024. It includes an initial six-week ceasefire that will see hostages deemed ‘humanitarian,’ which means women, the elderly, and the wounded, released in exchange for Palestinian detainees housed in Israeli prisons. This truce should finally open the way to a lasting solution to the conflict, with final attention to the rebuilding of Gaza and talks about its governance.
According to Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, there is motion in the ongoing negotiations between Israel and Hamas and now it all depends on the Hamas. According to him, clarity should come soon regarding Hamas’s interest in a deal. “Israel wants a hostage deal. Israel is working with our American friends to make this happen and soon we’ll see if the other side shares the same desire,” Sa’ar said.
As far as the timeline of negotiations is concerned, he acknowledged the progress but refused to say more as he knows that it was a sensitive issue concerning families. “It looks much better than previously… but I don’t want to say more than that,” he said, explaining caution in communicating with people.
