A senior source in the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) stated that the proposed revised agreement between Hamas and Israel stipulates that talks to release Israeli prisoners, including soldiers and remaining men, will begin within 16 days after the first phase of the agreement.
The source, who requested anonymity due to the confidentiality of the talks, told Reuters that the movement has agreed to abandon its demand for Israel to first commit to a permanent ceasefire before signing the agreement and will allow this to be achieved through negotiations during a first phase lasting six weeks.
The source also noted that the proposal guarantees that mediators will ensure a temporary ceasefire agreement, the delivery of aid, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces as long as indirect talks to implement the second phase of the agreement continue.
A Palestinian official close to international mediation efforts mentioned that the proposal could lead to a framework agreement if Israel agrees, potentially ending the nine-month war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
This comes after the White House announced that it is working with the CIA to reach a compromise to bridge the gap between Israel and Hamas on this issue, according to a report by “Axios.”
U.S. officials revealed on Friday that an American team was in Doha today to participate in the talks, amid optimism that the recent disagreement with Hamas leaders could lead to an agreement to release prisoners held in Gaza and establish “sustainable calm” in the region.
In its latest response to the Israeli proposal regarding the prisoner agreement and ceasefire, Hamas had demanded that the United States, Egypt, and Qatar commit to continuing negotiations on the second phase of the deal without a time limit, while the first phase of the deal is underway.
Disagreement over terms
Meanwhile, senior Israeli officials said that the remaining gap between the parties focuses on Article 14 of the Israeli proposal.
In the response that Hamas presented to Israel on Wednesday, the movement demanded the deletion of the phrase “make every effort” and its replacement with the word “ensure.”
U.S. officials told “Axios” that the Biden administration offered a compromise and suggested using the word “commit,” which the administration considers less binding than the word “ensure” but more binding than “make every effort.”
However, Israeli officials argued that if the agreement included the written commitment demanded by Hamas, the movement would be able to extend negotiations on the second phase of the deal indefinitely.
Axios also reported that Israeli officials said on Friday that Hamas’ demand for written commitments from the United States, Egypt, and Qatar poses a significant gap that remains before mediators can come to the negotiation table and begin discussing the details of the ceasefire and the detention of prisoners in Gaza.
It should be noted that the ceasefire, which is part of the first phase of the deal, can be extended for 42 days without Hamas releasing the soldiers and men under 50 years old held by the movement as outlined in the second phase of the proposed deal.
However, senior Israeli officials claim that in such a scenario, it would be very difficult for Israel to resume fighting without considering it a violation of the agreement.
They added that if it is found that Israel violated the agreement, the United Nations Security Council could decide to impose a ceasefire without releasing all the prisoners.
The Israeli delegation
On Friday evening, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the negotiating delegation would leave next week to Qatar to continue negotiations on a prisoner exchange deal with Palestinian factions in Gaza.
A statement from Netanyahu’s office said: “Mossad Chief David Barnea returned to Israel this evening (Friday) after a visit to Qatar and a preliminary meeting with the mediators, and the Israeli negotiating team will leave next week to continue the talks,” adding: “However, it was noted that there are still gaps between the two parties.”
On Friday morning, the Israeli Broadcasting Authority (official) reported, “Israeli Mossad Chief David Barnea is heading to the Qatari capital, Doha, to hold meetings on the prisoner exchange agreement and ceasefire in Gaza.”
The Broadcasting Authority also quoted unnamed political sources saying that “the Mossad chief informed the mediators that they are optimistic that Israel will accept the proposed hostage deal.”
For months, mediation efforts led by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt have been attempting to reach an agreement between Israel and Hamas that guarantees a prisoner exchange from both sides and a ceasefire, ensuring the entry of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian territory.
However, mediation efforts were hindered by Netanyahu’s refusal to meet Hamas’ demands to stop the war.
Previously, Palestinian factions agreed on May 6 to a proposed agreement for a ceasefire and prisoner exchange presented by Egypt and Qatar, but Israel rejected it, claiming it “does not meet its conditions.”
For nine months, Israel has been waging a devastating war on Gaza with absolute U.S. support, leaving over 125,000 Palestinians dead and injured, most of them children and women, and more than 10,000 missing amid massive destruction and famine that claimed the lives of dozens of children.
Tel Aviv continues the war, ignoring two United Nations Security Council resolutions to stop it immediately, and orders from the International Court of Justice to take measures to prevent acts of genocide and improve the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.
