In a significant development, Hamas has accepted a United States proposal to initiate discussions aimed at releasing Israeli hostages, including soldiers and civilians.
This decision comes 16 days after the commencement of the first phase of an agreement intended to bring an end to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. A senior Hamas official, speaking to Reuters under the condition of anonymity, confirmed the group’s willingness to negotiate.
Notably, Hamas has relinquished its earlier demand that Israel agree to a permanent ceasefire before any deal is signed. Instead, they have agreed to allow negotiations to aim for a ceasefire throughout the six-week first phase of the agreement.
This shift could pave the way for substantive talks, potentially leading to a framework agreement if Israel also embraces the proposal. A Palestinian official involved in the internationally mediated peace efforts indicated that such an agreement could end the nine-month-old conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
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An Israeli negotiator, also speaking anonymously, expressed optimism on Friday, highlighting a newfound opportunity for reaching an agreement. This marks a stark contrast to previous instances during the ongoing conflict, where Israel deemed Hamas’ conditions unacceptable.
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not immediately comment on the development, as it coincided with the Jewish Sabbath. However, on Friday, Netanyahu’s office confirmed that talks would continue next week, noting that significant gaps between the two sides remain.
The conflict has exacted a devastating toll, with Gaza health officials reporting over 38,000 Palestinian deaths since Hamas launched an attack on southern Israeli cities on October 7, resulting in 1,200 Israeli fatalities and approximately 250 hostages being taken, according to official Israeli figures.
The new proposal ensures that mediators would guarantee a temporary ceasefire, aid delivery, and the withdrawal of Israeli troops as long as indirect talks continue to implement the second phase of the agreement, the Hamas source revealed.
Efforts to secure a ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza have intensified recently, with active shuttle diplomacy involving Washington, Israel, and Qatar, which is leading the mediation efforts from Doha, where the exiled Hamas leadership is based.
A regional source indicated that the U.S. administration is pushing hard to secure a deal before the presidential election in November.
On Friday, Netanyahu mentioned that the head of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency had returned from an initial meeting with mediators in Qatar, with further negotiations slated for the coming week.
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Families of the hostages expressed cautious hope on Saturday. Ahead of a weekly rally in Tel Aviv, they urged Netanyahu to seize this opportunity. “For the first time in many months, we feel hope,” said Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan was abducted from his kibbutz home on October 7. “This is an opportunity that cannot be missed,” she emphasized.
As negotiations progress, there is a collective hope that this latest development will lead to a peaceful resolution and the safe return of hostages.