Efforts to broker a ceasefire and secure the release of hostages between Israel and Hamas are advancing, but significant challenges remain, and a final agreement could take weeks to materialize, according to an Arab diplomat who spoke to The Times of Israel on Thursday.
“The trajectory is good, but there are still major issues to be negotiated followed by difficult political decisions that both sides will need to make,” the diplomat explained.
Meanwhile, reports in Hebrew media on Thursday were slightly more optimistic. Anonymous Israeli officials suggested a deal might be achievable before the end of December.
One official told the Walla news site that discussions in Qatar over the past several days had been productive, though notable differences still need to be resolved. Similarly, Channel 12 news indicated that progress had been made in addressing some of the most contentious topics.
“We are in the final stages of reconciliation,” an Israeli official told Channel 12, adding that the outcome of the talks should become clear in the coming days.
The Israeli official credited CIA Director Bill Burns for his role in facilitating recent compromises between the parties. Burns traveled to Qatar on Wednesday to support the ongoing negotiations.
Yaron Cohen, the official in the Prime Minister’s Office responsible for hostage-related issues, reached out to the families of captives on Thursday. He informed them that a combination of regional developments and U.S. influence has created a favorable environment for a potential agreement.
Cohen also advised the families to avoid relying on media coverage for updates, suggesting they contact the Prime Minister’s Office directly with any questions or concerns.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also weighed in on Thursday, reiterating Washington’s belief that a deal is within reach due to Hamas’ recent isolation and the weakening of the Iran-backed Axis of Resistance.
“The reality is we should logically be able to get this, and I say that with all the caution that comes with that statement because we’ve been very close before and we’ve had these ‘Lucy and the football’ moments where you’re just ready to kick the football and Lucy pulls it away,” Blinken told Bloomberg.
The primary sticking point in the negotiations is the nature of the ceasefire. Hamas is pushing for a permanent cessation of hostilities, coupled with the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, while Israel seeks a temporary truce during which hostages would be released, followed by a resumption of its military operations to dismantle Hamas’ infrastructure and governance.
Channel 12 reported on Wednesday that disagreements persist over several critical matters, including the number and identity of hostages to be released, a mechanism for the return of displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza, the list of Palestinian security prisoners to be freed, and provisions for exiling the most dangerous prisoners to other nations.
Hamas, however, signaled progress in the talks. The Hezbollah-linked Lebanese outlet Al Mayadeen quoted an unnamed senior Hamas official as saying that negotiations for a phased deal involving hostage releases and a ceasefire were advancing significantly.
The official noted that Israel’s initial demand is the release of 34 hostages on humanitarian grounds. This group would include women, children, female IDF soldiers, and the elderly or ill. It remains unclear whether Hamas has agreed to this demand or can deliver the specified number of captives.
In a potential concession, Channel 12 reported that Israel might accept the inclusion of deceased hostages’ remains in the first phase of the agreement.
Despite these developments, far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich publicly criticized the proposed deal on Wednesday, calling it a “serious error.” He joins fellow far-right minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who has also vocally opposed such an agreement.
Still, public opinion appears to favor a deal. Successive polls have shown broad support for an agreement, even if it necessitates halting the war.
{Matzav.com}
