Israeli tanks manoeuvre near the border after entering Israel from Gaza, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, as seen from Israel, July 4, 2024. REUTERS/Amir Cohen/File Photo
Hamas has agreed to a U.S. proposal to initiate discussions on releasing Israeli hostages, including soldiers and men, 16 days after the first phase of a proposed agreement aimed at ending the Gaza war, a senior Hamas source informed Reuters on Saturday. The militant group has dropped its demand for Israel to commit to a permanent ceasefire before signing the agreement, instead allowing negotiations to pursue that goal throughout the initial six-week phase, according to the source who spoke under anonymity due to the private nature of the talks. A Palestinian official close to the peace efforts indicated that if embraced by Israel, the proposal could lead to a framework agreement to conclude the nine-month conflict between Israel and Hamas.
CIA Director William Burns is expected to travel to Qatar next week for negotiations, a source familiar with the matter confirmed, though a CIA spokesperson declined to verify Burns’ trip. Discussions will center on addressing Hamas’s demand that the United States, Israel, Qatar, and Egypt provide written guarantees of a temporary ceasefire, aid deliveries, and an Israeli troop withdrawal if indirect talks on the second phase of the plan proceed.
An Israeli negotiation team member expressed optimism on Friday about reaching an agreement, contrasting with past instances when Israel found Hamas’s conditions unacceptable. A spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not respond immediately on Saturday due to the Jewish Sabbath, but his office stated on Friday that talks would continue next week, noting that gaps between the sides remained.
A U.S. official, while not confirming Hamas’s decision, acknowledged significant progress but cautioned that much work remained.
The conflict, which began on October 7 with a Hamas-led assault on southern Israel, has resulted in over 38,000 Palestinian deaths according to Gaza health officials, and 1,200 Israeli deaths with approximately 250 hostages taken. The new proposal includes guarantees of a temporary ceasefire, aid delivery, and Israeli troop withdrawal as long as indirect talks continue.
Intense shuttle diplomacy has been ongoing among Washington, Israel, and Qatar, which is mediating from Doha where Hamas’s exiled leadership is based. U.S. efforts are reportedly focused on securing a deal before the U.S. presidential election in November.
Netanyahu stated on Friday that the head of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency had returned from an initial meeting with mediators in Qatar, with negotiations to continue next week. Families of hostages expressed hope and urged Netanyahu to proceed with the deal.
Amid these diplomatic efforts, Israeli forces have intensified military strikes across Gaza, killing at least 29 Palestinians in the past 24 hours and wounding 100 others. Five local journalists were among the casualties, raising the total number of journalists killed since October 7 to 158.
Israeli forces have also deepened their incursions into Rafah, killing four Palestinian policemen and wounding eight others in an airstrike. The Israeli military stated that its operations in Rafah aim to eliminate the last Hamas armed wing battalions.
In Al-Nuseirat camp, an Israeli airstrike on a house killed 10 Palestinians. The Israeli military claimed to have eliminated a Hamas rocket cell operating from a humanitarian-designated area, ensuring civilians were unharmed. Hamas denies using civilian properties for military purposes.
Hamas and Islamic Jihad fighters reported attacking Israeli forces in several Gaza areas with anti-tank rockets and mortar bombs.
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