High-level ceasefire talks appeared to gain momentum Monday as Arab and U.S. mediators pushed for an agreement to end the fighting in Gaza and release hostages held by Hamas before the President-elect Donald J. Trump takes office on January 20.
It is not yet clear whether the parties have reached a resolution on all major disputes that proved intractable in previous rounds of negotiations, but officials expressed optimism that a deal could be reached.
On Monday, President Biden suggested that a deal between Israel and Hamas was imminent. “Regarding the war between Israel and Hamas, we are about to see a proposal that I outlined in detail months ago finally come to fruition,” he said in a foreign policy speech.
Jake Sullivan, the US national security adviser, said there was “a real possibility” that Hamas and Israel could reach an agreement this week.
“The question now is can we all collectively rise to the occasion and make this happen,” Mr. Sullivan told Bloomberg in an interview.
Mr. Trump said Monday in an interview with Newsmax: “We’re close to getting it done, and they have to get it done.” If they don’t succeed, there will be a lot of problems. »
He continued: “I understand that it’s… that’s it… there was a handshake, and they’re finishing up. And maybe by the end of the week.
A Hamas official said in a text message that progress had been made on all issues and that an agreement was possible within the next two days as long as Israel did not change its position at the last minute.
Earlier on Monday, an Arab diplomat said “real progress” was being made in the negotiations, and two Israeli officials said a draft deal was awaiting Hamas approval, with the next 24 hours seen as crucial.
Other Israeli officials said optimal conditions for a deal had been created, making a breakthrough possible. These officials said the emerging deal would allow Israel to maintain a buffer zone in Gaza during its implementation and that Israeli forces would not leave the territory until all hostages were freed.
They also said it would allow displaced Palestinians from southern Gaza to return to the north while unspecified “security arrangements” were implemented.
The Hamas official, the diplomat and Israeli officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive diplomacy.
For months, repeated rounds of negotiations raised hopes that were dashed days later, with Israel and Hamas blaming each other for the impasse.
If a deal is reached, it would bring some relief to Palestinians in Gaza, who have endured miserable conditions in displacement camps and Israel’s relentless bombing, and to the families of hostages taken from Israel, who have suffered for months wondering about the fate of their loved ones.
