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The Saudi TV channel Al-Sharq Al-Awsat reported, citing sources, that representatives of Egypt and Qatar are holding intensive talks on a temporary truce in the Gaza Strip. According to the sources, an agreement may be reached in the coming days – on Sunday or Monday.
Allegedly, Hamas has already agreed to the proposed truce formula. Several rounds of meetings between mediators and Hamas representatives took place in Doha, during which a new compromise solution was discussed. It provides for the release of five hostages in exchange for several Palestinian prisoners and a 50-day cessation of hostilities, according to the News portal.
The Qatari edition of Al-Arabi Al-Jadeed confirms this information and adds that Hamas has allegedly agreed to release US citizen Idan Alexander and hand over four more people to Israel, both alive and dead.
However, Israel has not yet confirmed these statements. According to the Israeli portal Ynet, the government is not actively involved in the negotiations, which are conducted mainly by Egypt, Qatar and Hamas. Nevertheless, Israeli officials hope that some progress can be made before the Passover holiday.
Sources also report that Israel insists on the release of at least ten hostages it considers alive, in accordance with the so-called “Witkoff plan”. Hamas is currently offering to release a smaller number of people, which is causing tensions in the negotiations.
Interestingly, according to Al-Arabiya Al-Jadeed, Hamas rejected a recent proposal by the US administration, which provided for the voluntary resettlement of the organisation’s leadership outside Gaza in exchange for security, housing and financial compensation.
Despite the complex dynamics, all parties, including Israel, are cautiously hopeful that a breakthrough is possible. A final solution could emerge in the coming hours.
