Senior official says Hamas, 'Israel' inching closer to deal: Exclusive
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After overcoming key obstacles, a senior Palestinian official revealed to Al Mayadeen that a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and "Israel" is close to being reached.
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Palestinian women look at a damaged residential building following an overnight Israeli strike on Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, on January 9, 2025. (AP)
The Hamas movement and "Israel" are nearing an agreement after overcoming most of the obstacles that had previously hindered negotiations, a senior Palestinian official told Al Mayadeen.
The official stated that, following high-level interventions from Egypt, Qatar, and the Trump administration, the issues that had obstructed an agreement were effectively addressed.
The senior Palestinian figure explained to Al Mayadeen that "Israel" was insisting on several impossible conditions, including the presence of its forces inside the Gaza Strip and along the Philadelphia and Netzarim axes; however, he asserted that Hamas maintained its firm stance throughout the negotiations and insisted on the accurate implementation of the May 27 agreement under the supervision of mediators.
Meanwhile, Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza reported that a state of anticipation is prevalent amid information about the imminent end of the suffering after 15 months of systematic destruction of the Strip.
In this context, National Unity leader Benny Gantz said his party gives full backing to the emerging ceasefire deal, taking a swing at Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich who said it would be a “catastrophe.”
“Reaching a plan to return our hostages is a supreme value and a strategic necessity — failing to return them and abandoning them is a national catastrophe,” Gantz said in a statement.
“National Unity will give full political backing to the plan for their return,” he added.
Earlier this month, on January 2, a senior Palestinian official told Al Mayadeen that Gaza ceasefire negotiations "are witnessing real development, with signs that a ceasefire agreement may be reached." The leader also clarified that the upcoming round of talks in Doha on Friday "is important and crucial in the negotiations."
The Palestinian official noted there were some main issues in need of further discussions, such as the Israeli captives, the Philadelphi Axis, the return of displaced Palestinians, and the issue of Palestinian captives.
In the same context, “Israel’s” Walla news website reported Israeli officials as saying that the sending of a team to Doha is a last-minute attempt at advancing in the ceasefire talks.
Biden calls on Netanyahu for an immediate ceasefire
On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with outgoing US President Joe Biden to provide updates on negotiations aimed at securing the release of captives held in Gaza.
The call came as high-level talks continued in Qatar, mediated by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt.
A readout from Biden's office confirmed the discussion, noting that the president emphasized the "immediate need for a ceasefire in Gaza and the return of the hostages, along with a surge in humanitarian aid enabled by a stoppage in the fighting under the deal."
Netanyahu's office stated that the prime minister briefed Biden on the progress of the talks and the directives given to the Israeli negotiating team in Doha.
"The prime minister discussed with the American president the progress in the negotiations for the release of our hostages and updated him on the mandate he has given to the negotiating team in Doha," read the statement.
