Israel and Hamas near Gaza ceasefire agreement – media

Sides close to finalising talks that will potentially end 15-month conflict, CBS News reports, citing US and regional officials.

Israel and Hamas are nearing an agreement for a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release. The deal is expected to bring an end to a devastating 15-month conflict, with key breakthroughs achieved in recent talks, several media outlets claimed, citing US, Israeli and Arab officials.

Mediators are still waiting for the responses of both parties, a source familiar with the matter has told RT.

The implementation could begin by the weekend, and the parties have already begun drafting public statements hailing success, CBS News wrote on Tuesday.

The framework includes a 42-day truce, the release of 33 hostages held by Hamas, and a reciprocal exchange of Palestinian prisoners by Israel, CBS News reported on Monday. If the Israeli government votes to ratify the deal shortly thereafter, the process could begin within days. This could mark the success of President Joe Biden’s long-sought ceasefire deal, with incoming President-elect Donald Trump expected to oversee its implementation.

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan emphasized the urgency on Monday, stating: “We are close to a deal, and it can get done this week.”

The conflict, which began in October 2023 following a deadly Hamas attack on Israel, has resulted in over 46,000 deaths in Gaza, according to local health authorities.

Qatar has reportedly pressured Hamas leader Muhammad Sinwar to accept the deal, while Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff has urged the Israeli delegation to do the same, the Associated Press reported on Monday. Egypt’s intelligence chief Hassan Mahmoud Rashad participated in the talks in Doha, according to RT.

Turkish media also reported intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin engaged with Hamas to support the deal.

Despite mediation efforts led by the US, Qatar, and Egypt, negotiations have faced repeated delays over key issues, including the specifics of the hostage and prisoner exchanges, the timeline for Israeli troop withdrawals, and whether the ceasefire would be permanent.

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