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Mediators have presented the final draft of a peace deal to Israel and Hamas after a midnight breakthrough in talks – sparking hope that more than a year of war could finally come to an end.
Officials said Qatar had handed both sides a text for a ceasefire and the release of hostages during talks in the capital, Doha. Both Israel and Hamas later said the draft had made significant “progress”.
Steve Witkoff, the incoming US envoy to the Middle East for Donald Trump, reportedly attended the talks, as did the outgoing Biden administration’s envoy Brett McGurk.
“The next 24 hours will be pivotal to reaching the deal,” one official said, characterising the draft as the outcome of a breakthrough reached in the early hours of Monday.
“The negotiation over some core issues made progress and we are working to conclude what remains soon,” a Hamas official told Reuters on Monday, asking not to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter.
Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar said the negotiations were being coordinated between Joe Biden’s and Mr Trump’s teams.
Gaza war talks on are on cup of an agreement, White House says
Negotiators for a truce in the Gaza war are on the cusp of reaching an agreement and the White House is in touch with President-elect Donald Trump’s team on the talks, said a top aide to President Joe Biden.
Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, said the US president would soon speak with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi about the negotiations.
Sullivan said it remained to be seen whether a deal would actually be reached.
Tom Watling13 January 2025 18:01
