Hamas has accepted a draft ceasefire agreement which would see the remaining Israeli hostages released.
The terror group said negotiations were in the “final stage”, and they hoped this round could lead to a deal.
An Israeli official said details were being finalised, noting “we are close, we are not there yet”.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken claimed the agreement was “right on the brink”.
Speaking at an Atlantic Council Front Page event, Blinken said: “For the past several months, Hamas has played the spoiler. But now, after 'weeks' of 'intensive efforts,' an agreement is 'closer than it’s ever been before'.”
Negotiators in Doha have been working on a ceasefire deal during more than eight hours of talks.
The deal is set to finalise the deadly war between Israel and Hamas that began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists infiltrated Israel, murdering civilians and abducting 251 people.
In total, the war has taken the lives of almost 46,000 Palestinians and nearly 2,000 Israelis as well as over 100 journalists.
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It would bring respite to Gaza, where 90 per cent of the population has been displaced and many are at risk of famine.
Almost 100 Israeli hostages are still being held in Gaza, with almost a third of those believed to be dead.
The ceasefire agreement would see the release of the hostages in phases in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned in Israel.
There would also be an increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza, and Israeli military forces would withdraw from cities and towns in the territory.
Earlier this month, it was reported that Hamas officials released a list of the first 34 hostages to be released in phase one of the deal, however, Israel denied receiving a list.
“As yet, Israel has not received any confirmation or comment by Hamas regarding the status of the hostages appearing on the list. Israel will continue to act relentlessly for the return of all of our hostages,” said a statement from the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office.
The Jewish Chronicle reported that it is believed Emily Damari, the only British citizen still held hostage in Gaza, will be released in the first phase of the ceasefire.
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The terror group said negotiations were in the “final stage”, and they hoped this round could lead to a deal.
An Israeli official said details were being finalised, noting “we are close, we are not there yet”.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken claimed the agreement was “right on the brink”.
Speaking at an Atlantic Council Front Page event, Blinken said: “For the past several months, Hamas has played the spoiler. But now, after 'weeks' of 'intensive efforts,' an agreement is 'closer than it’s ever been before'.”
Negotiators in Doha have been working on a ceasefire deal during more than eight hours of talks.
The deal is set to finalise the deadly war between Israel and Hamas that began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists infiltrated Israel, murdering civilians and abducting 251 people.
In total, the war has taken the lives of almost 46,000 Palestinians and nearly 2,000 Israelis as well as over 100 journalists.
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It would bring respite to Gaza, where 90 per cent of the population has been displaced and many are at risk of famine.
Almost 100 Israeli hostages are still being held in Gaza, with almost a third of those believed to be dead.
The ceasefire agreement would see the release of the hostages in phases in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned in Israel.
There would also be an increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza, and Israeli military forces would withdraw from cities and towns in the territory.
Earlier this month, it was reported that Hamas officials released a list of the first 34 hostages to be released in phase one of the deal, however, Israel denied receiving a list.
“As yet, Israel has not received any confirmation or comment by Hamas regarding the status of the hostages appearing on the list. Israel will continue to act relentlessly for the return of all of our hostages,” said a statement from the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office.
The Jewish Chronicle reported that it is believed Emily Damari, the only British citizen still held hostage in Gaza, will be released in the first phase of the ceasefire.
Find Out More...