CAIRO:
Hamas and two different Palestinian militant teams mentioned on Saturday {that a} Gaza ceasefire cope with Israel is “nearer than ever”, offered Israel doesn’t impose new situations.
Final week, oblique negotiations between Israel and Hamas mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the US have been held in Doha, rekindling hope of an settlement.
“The potential for reaching an settlement (for a ceasefire and prisoner change deal) is nearer than ever, offered the enemy stops imposing new situations,” Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the leftist Common Entrance for the Liberation of Palestine mentioned in a uncommon joint assertion issued after talks in Cairo on Friday. A Hamas chief informed AFP on Saturday that talks had made “vital and vital progress” in latest days.
“Most factors associated to the ceasefire and prisoner change points have been agreed upon,” he mentioned on situation of anonymity as he was not authorised to talk publicly on the difficulty.
“Some unresolved factors stay, however they don’t hinder the method. The settlement might be finalised earlier than the tip of this 12 months, offered it isn’t disrupted by (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu’s new situations.”
He mentioned that if an settlement is reached it is going to be applied in phases, ending with “a critical prisoner change deal, a everlasting ceasefire and an entire withdrawal (of Israeli forces) from Gaza.”
On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken mentioned he was “hopeful” for a deal, however prevented making any predictions as to when it will truly materialise.
“I do not need to hazard a guess as to what the chance is,” he mentioned on the Council on Overseas Relations.
“It ought to occur. It must occur. We have to get folks dwelling,” he mentioned, referring to the discharge of hostages below a ceasefire deal.
Palestinian militants led by Hamas kidnapped 251 hostages throughout their assault on Israel on October 7 final 12 months. Of these, 96 are nonetheless held in Gaza, together with 36 the Israeli navy says are lifeless.