Gaza ceasefire talks under way in Qatar: Report
A round of ceasefire talks has begun in Qatar amid growing hopes that a deal is within reach, Reuters is reporting, citing an official briefed on the negotiations. A source quoted by AFP said today’s meetings “are aimed at finalising the remaining details of the deal”.
The source added that the heads of Israel’s intelligence agencies, the Middle East envoys for the incoming and outgoing US administrations and Qatar’s prime minister are due at the talks.
“Mediators will hold separate talks with Hamas,” the source said.
A three-stage ceasefire deal?
Israeli media have leaked details of the potential ceasefire deal which will reportedly be implemented in three stages:
- In the first stage, 33 Israeli captives being held in Gaza will be released. In turn, Israel will free 50 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for each female soldier, and 30 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the remaining civilians being held captive.
- The reports also say Israel will completely withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor – the strip of land between the borders of Gaza and Egypt – at the end of the first phase of the deal.
- The second stage will start 16 days into the ceasefire and will focus on negotiations to release the remaining men and soldiers held in Gaza.
- The third stage of the deal will address long-term arrangements, including discussions on establishing an alternative government in Gaza and plans to rebuild it.
- Other details about the reported deal focus on security, with checks said to be carried out by an international body, and Israel allowing one million Palestinians back in the northern Gaza Strip.
Gaza ceasefire at its closest point: Qatari Foreign Ministry
While the ministry’s spokesperson, al-Ansari, declined to provide details on the contents of ongoing negotiations, he said all the main issues have been “ironed out”. “All we can say is that today we are the closest than at any time in the past to a deal,” he told reporters.
Qatar ‘open to all options’ that respect Palestinian self-determination: Al-Ansari
Asked about the prospect of an Arab coalition being sent to Gaza after the war, the Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson reiterates the Gulf state’s position that Israel’s occupation of the territory “must end” and that Palestinians “must have their rule and say in their territories”.
“We are open to all the options that will lead to a suitable solution where the Palestinians will have their own say and rule in their land,” Majde al-Ansari said.
Hamas in communication with Palestinian factions about ceasefire deal’s progress
Hamas leaders have conducted a series of consultations with leaders of Palestinian factions, informing them about progress made in the ongoing negotiations in Doha, according to a statement from the group’s chapter in the occupied West Bank.
During these discussions, faction leaders expressed satisfaction with the course of the negotiations, emphasising the need for national readiness for the upcoming phase and its requirements, it said.
The Hamas leadership and its various factions agreed to continue communications until a ceasefire deal is finalised.
They also expressed hope that this round of negotiations will conclude with a clear and comprehensive agreement, the statement said.
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