Progress in Ceasefire Talks for Gaza War and Release of Hostages

Reports indicate that the intensification of mediation efforts by intermediary countries to reach a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza war, which began last Friday, has brought optimism for a new phase of results. The Israeli Prime Minister has also confirmed that the head of Mossad has returned from a negotiation session with mediators in the Qatari capital. Meanwhile, Reuters reported on Saturday, July 16, citing a senior Hamas source, that the extremist group has agreed to the U.S. proposal to negotiate the release of Israeli hostages, including men and soldiers. The report, quoting a Hamas official who wished to remain anonymous, adds that Hamas has retreated from its previous position requiring Israel to accept a permanent ceasefire before negotiating the release of hostages and has agreed to a six-week ceasefire in the first phase. A Palestinian official close to peace efforts has also stated that the three-phase proposal offered by the U.S. could lead to a framework agreement to end the nine-month war in Gaza if accepted by Israel. A source in the Israeli negotiating team has also told Reuters that there is now a 'real chance' for reaching an agreement. CNN and Axios reported last Saturday that the U.S. in its latest effort has asked Egypt and Qatar to pressure Hamas to accept a new version of the three-phase ceasefire plan presented by the U.S. President last month. The governments of Doha and Cairo have been mediators in the indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas in recent months. Reuters' report on Saturday adds that the new position of the Israeli government contrasts with its previous approach, which insisted that Hamas's conditions were unacceptable. In this context, Israeli media reported yesterday that Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, has decided to send a delegation to resume halted negotiations regarding the exchange of hostages with Hamas, and this decision has been welcomed by the U.S. On Friday, Mr. Netanyahu's office announced that negotiations would continue next week but emphasized that gaps between the parties still remain. During the unexpected assault by Hamas forces on Israel in mid-October last year, 1,200 Israelis were killed, and 250 were taken hostage by Hamas, some of whom were exchanged in previous ceasefire agreements with Palestinian prisoners, and it is now estimated that about 120 Israeli hostages are held by Hamas. The extremist group Hamas, which is designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and Europe, also claims that 38,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza during Israeli attacks. A Hamas source told Reuters that the new proposal from the mediators (the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar) guarantees a temporary ceasefire, humanitarian aid to Gaza, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the area during indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas to negotiate the second phase of the ceasefire. The Israeli security cabinet is reviewing 'Hamas's proposals' for a ceasefire agreement in Gaza. A regional source also told the news agency that the Biden administration is working hard to reach an agreement between Israel and Hamas before the presidential elections in November. The Axios website previously reported that Mossad unusually announced on Wednesday evening, July 13, that Qatar and Egypt had presented Hamas's new response to Israeli proposals to the officials of these countries. The website quoted two senior Israeli officials describing Hamas's new response as 'constructive' and stated that these responses pave the way for 'more precise' negotiations that could lead to an agreement. Some far-right partners in Netanyahu's ruling coalition have indicated that they may leave the government if the war ends before the 'destruction of Hamas,' and their departure from the coalition would likely end Netanyahu's premiership.