High-level ceasefire talks appeared to gain momentum Monday, as Arab and American mediators pressed for a deal to halt fighting in Gaza and release hostages held by Hamas before President-elect Donald J. Trump takes over. assignment on January 20th.
It is not yet clear whether the sides have reached a resolution on all the central disputes that proved insurmountable in previous rounds of negotiations, but officials have expressed optimism that a deal is possible.
President Biden suggested on Monday that a deal between Israel and Hamas was imminent. “We are on the brink of a proposal that I detailed months ago about the war between Israel and Hamas finally coming to fruition,” he said in a foreign policy speech.
Jake Sullivan, the US national security adviser, said there was “a real possibility” that Hamas and Israel could reach a deal this week.
“The question now is, can we all collectively seize the moment and make this happen,” Sullivan told Bloomberg in an interview.
Trump said during an interview with Newsmax on Monday: “We’re very close to making it happen, and they have to make it happen. If they don’t, there will be a lot of problems out there.”
He continued: “I understand there was a handshake and they are getting it done. And maybe by the end of the week.
A Hamas official said in a text message that progress had been made on all issues and that a deal was possible in the next two days provided Israel does not change its position at the last minute.
Earlier on Monday, an Arab diplomat said “real progress” was being made in the talks, and two Israeli officials said a draft agreement was awaiting Hamas approval, with the next 24 hours seen as critical.
Other Israeli officials said optimal conditions for a deal had been created, making a breakthrough possible. These officials said the emerging agreement will allow Israel to maintain a buffer zone in Gaza during its implementation and that Israeli forces will not leave the territory until all hostages are released.
They also said this would allow Palestinians displaced in southern Gaza to return to the north while unspecified “security arrangements” would be enforced.
The Hamas official, diplomat and Israeli officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive diplomacy.
For months, repeated rounds of talks saw hopes raised only to be dashed days later, with Israel and Hamas blaming each other for the impasse.
If an agreement were reached, it would bring some respite to the Palestinians in Gaza, who have endured miserable conditions in refugee camps and incessant bombing by Israel, and to the families of hostages taken by Israel, who have suffered for months in question about the fate of their loved ones.