Hamas-Israel negotiations in Qatar making rapid progress.. Is a ceasefire near?
July 16, 202553 ViewsRead Time: 2 minutes
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Israeli media reported last night, Tuesday, July 15, that indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas, taking place in the Qatari capital Doha since July 6, have seen "significant progress" in the past twenty-four hours, paving the way for a comprehensive agreement to exchange prisoners and halt the firing in the Gaza Strip.
Israeli Channel 13 stated that the negotiations have made a "dramatic progress," indicating that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has given the green light to provide "additional flexibility" regarding the Israeli army's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, which has helped push the understanding forward.
The channel quoted an Israeli official familiar with the talks as saying that "the road to the deal is paved," pointing to a significant convergence in views between the two sides, especially after the Israeli security and political cabinet moved closer to Hamas' demands.
According to the channel, the proposed Israeli withdrawal will be temporary for 60 days, with a clear Israeli intention to resume military operations immediately after the ceasefire period ends if a permanent solution is not reached.
Other sources revealed to the channel that Netanyahu is seriously seeking to conclude the deal within a few days, but he remains hesitant about ending the war completely.
Meanwhile, there has been no official comment from Hamas or the Israeli government on these reports so far.
These developments come as Cairo hosts trilateral meetings to discuss ceasefire mechanisms, with representatives from Egypt, Qatar, and the United States participating. Egyptian sources have also confirmed progress in these meetings, enhancing the possibility of reaching a comprehensive agreement.
While diplomatic talks continue, military operations persist, as a new Israeli bombardment on Gaza Tuesday evening resulted in widespread destruction of residential buildings, amidst intensive search operations by residents for survivors or victims among the rubble, according to the Associated Press.
