Israel-Gaza Ceasefire and Hostage Release Talks Gain Momentum: What You Need to Know

High-level ceasefire talks appeared to gain momentum on Monday as Arab and American negotiators pushed for an agreement to end fighting in Gaza and free Hamas hostages before President-elect Donald J. Trump takes office on January 20.

It was not clear whether the parties had reached a resolution on all the major disputes that proved intractable in previous rounds of talks, but officials expressed hope that an agreement could be reached.

On Monday, President Biden suggested that a deal between Israel and Hamas was close. “In the war between Israel and Hamas, we are on the brink of a proposal that I have put forward extensively over the last few months that has finally come to fruition,” he said in a foreign policy speech.

Jake Sullivan, the US national security adviser, said it was “possible” that Hamas and Israel could agree on a deal this week.

“The question now is whether we can hold all the time together and make this happen,” said Mr. Sullivan told Bloomberg in an interview.

Mr. Trump said in an interview with Newsmax on Monday: “We are very close to getting it done, and they have to get it done. If they don’t, there will be a lot of problems out there.”

He continued, “I understand that — it’s been happening — there was a handshake, and they’re ending it.” And maybe by the end of the week.”

A Hamas official said in a message that progress has been made on all issues and that an agreement could be reached in the next two days as long as Israel does not change its position at the last minute.

Earlier on Monday, an Arab lawmaker said “real progress” was being made in the talks, while two Israeli officials said the draft agreement was still awaiting Hamas approval, with the next 24 hours considered critical.

Some Israeli officials said that the right conditions for a deal had been created, making it a success. The officials said the emerging deal would allow Israel to maintain a safe zone in Gaza during its implementation and that Israeli forces would not leave the area until all hostages were released.

They also said it would allow Palestinians expelled from southern Gaza to return to the north while “security arrangements” were not specified.

A Hamas official, a politician and Israeli officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive communications.

For months, repeated talks saw hopes rise only to be dashed days later, when Israel and Hamas blamed each other for the conflict.

If the agreement is reached, it will bring relief to the Palestinian people in Gaza, who have endured terrible conditions in displacement camps and Israeli bombings, as well as the families of hostages taken from Israel, who have been suffering for months wondering about their fate. dear ones.