Israel optimistic on Gaza ceasefire, while Hamas says deal is possible
The Palestinian militant group says a long--awaited agreement to free all hostage could be reached if Israel stops adding new conditions
Israeli officials say a ceasefire in Gaza is a more realistic prospect than at any time in the past year, suggesting a long-awaited deal to free hostages and boost aid to the beleaguered territory could be close.
A working group from Israel is in the Qatari capital of Doha this week to re-establish relations with mediators in the event of a breakthrough in negotiations with Hamas, said the officials, asking not to be identified discussing sensitive information.
Their optimism has been reflected in recent comments by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s senior cabinet members. Defence Minister Israel Katz, speaking on Monday, said a truce is “closer than ever”, while Foreign Minister Gideon Saar told hostage families he’s more upbeat than a month ago.
“There’s a chance to reach a deal and, from what I know, it will involve all 100 hostages,” Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli said on Army Radio on Tuesday. “First the humanitarian cases and then the rest.”
Hamas put out a statement saying an agreement is possible if Israel stops adding new conditions.
An agreement to at least pause the Israel-Gaza war would end more than a year of frustration, during which talk of an imminent deal has bubbled up intermittently before swiftly collapsing.
