Negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip are, according to Reuters, at an advanced stage and an agreement can be said to be getting closer.
The actors revealed to this news agency that the diplomatic effort by Egypt, Qatar and the United States has managed to resolve some problems, although some details still remain to be resolved before the agreement itself.
The current focus is on the exchange of Palestinian prisoners in Israel for hostages held in Gaza, who were kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, 2023, when this escalation of the conflict began.
Talks are also underway on the length of the ceasefire. Israeli Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli said that the ceasefire “could last six months or 10 years”, and that there is still no agreement on this segment.
On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke before the Knesset, emphasizing that the talks are progressing, but that he has “no idea” when they might end.
Similar messages are coming from officials of the Palestinian group Hamas, whose official told Reuters that the agreement is “closer than ever before” in the context of a long-term ceasefire.
