Hamas says keen on reaching Gaza ceasefire deal
3 Min Read
The Palestinian Resistance group says it is approaching efforts aimed at reaching a ceasefire in Gaza and developments in a positive manner.
-
A man is silhouetted against a Hamas flag during a protest in support of Palestinians and calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, in Istanbul, Turkiye, on Sunday, January 14, 2024. (AP)
The Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas affirmed on Monday it is keen on reaching a Gaza ceasefire deal.
In a statement, the Palestinian group confirmed that indirect negotiations, mediated by Qatar and Egypt, regarding reaching a deal that would end the Israeli war on Gaza and complete a prisoner exchange with "Israel", are progressing well.
Hamas also announced that a senior delegation, led by Chairman of the Leadership Council Mohammad Darwish, met with Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, to discuss the latest developments in efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip.
The statement highlighted that during the meeting, progress achieved in recent days in Doha was reviewed, with Hamas affirming that it is approaching these efforts and developments in a positive manner.
Earlier on Monday, a Palestinian official told Al Mayadeen that Hamas and "Israel" are nearing an agreement on a ceasefire and a prisoner exchange after overcoming most obstacles.
Hamas has consistently maintained that any deal must result in a permanent end to the war and the withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from Gaza, while "Israel" has firmly stated it will not cease its war until the Palestinian group is dismantled.
Read more: Gaza captive deal may be reached before Trump inauguration, US says
'It can get done this week': US National Security advisor
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan described the ongoing negotiations as being at a "pivotal" stage, noting that the gaps between the two sides are gradually narrowing.
He said that progress had been made on issues including the formula for the exchange of captives held by the Palestinian Resistance and Palestinian detainees held by "Israel", and on how Israeli occupation forces would be "postured" in Gaza.
"I think there is a good chance we can close this ... the parties are right on the cusp of being able to close this deal," he told reporters.
"We are close to a deal, and it can get done this week. I'm not making a promise or prediction, but it is there for the taking, and we are going to work to make it happen," Sullivan indicated.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told MSNBC that the parties were "closer than we've ever been" to reaching an agreement, claiming that the next step rested with Hamas.
"We are very hopeful that we get it over the finish line, finally after all this time," Blinken said, adding that the proposed agreement is based on a framework introduced by US President Biden in May.
The White House confirmed that Biden spoke on Sunday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and discussed efforts to reach a deal over the phone.
Biden "stressed the immediate need for a ceasefire in Gaza and return of the hostages with a surge in humanitarian aid enabled by a stoppage in the fighting under the deal," the White House said in a statement.
Read more: Smotrich calls Gaza deal 'catastrophe', angers captives' families
