Senior Hamas officials told the Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat on Monday that a new effort is underway to draft a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
According to sources in the terrorist organization, the next two weeks will clarify what both sides are prepared to offer toward advancing even a temporary deal to halt the Israeli operation in Gaza City and open the door to more substantive negotiations. The sources said they believe there is a serious effort to reach such a goal and noted that within 10 days there may be a chance for progress.
The officials added that several Arab countries are engaged in talks aimed at ending the war completely and securing the withdrawal of Israeli forces, initially from residential areas. The report said certain parties are working on maps outlining a pullback from different parts of the Strip.
Meanwhile, the Saudi channels Al-Hadath and Al-Arabiya reported that a "new" proposal is on the table. According to their sources, the offer includes the release of 10 hostages and the return of two bodies, both belonging to US citizens. The plan is said to include American guarantees of a 60-day ceasefire and the delivery of humanitarian aid. Neither Israel nor Hamas has responded to the proposal.
Under the framework previously outlined by US envoy Brett McGurk and CIA Director William Burns, 10 hostages were to be freed in exchange for the return of 18 bodies in the first stage.
Earlier, Fox News reported that Hamas sent a letter to US President Donald Trump requesting a temporary 60-day ceasefire in exchange for the release of half the hostages. According to the report, Qatar is holding the letter and is expected to deliver it to Trump later this week.
Against the backdrop of this month's strike on senior Hamas officials in Qatar, sources in the terrorist organization said, "No decision has been made to suspend the talks. Hamas is working through several mediators to provide an opportunity for their renewal."
