As hundreds of thousands of Palestinians trapped amid destruction and a shortage of aid in the Gaza Strip await a glimmer of hope, indirect negotiations continue behind the scenes between Hamas and Israel to establish a ceasefire. An Arab source familiar with the talks revealed on Wednesday that reaching a deal between the two parties is not imminent. However, he confirmed that the negotiations are making progress, albeit slowly.
He also indicated that Hamas is showing flexibility in agreeing on the names of individuals to be released from Israeli prisons, but insists on the return of residents from northern Gaza to their areas and providing shelter for them there, which Israel rejects, according to the Arab World News Agency (AWP).
The source stated that the issue of releasing 40 Israeli captives in exchange for a 42-day ceasefire has "almost been settled," but negotiations are currently focused on the details. Among these details are the return of displaced persons, the names of Palestinian prisoners to be released, where they will be freed, who will go to the West Bank, and who will be expelled abroad.
Additionally, he noted that discussions are ongoing, with Egyptian and Qatari mediators relaying responses between the warring parties. He explained that there is a delay in some responses reaching the mediators from both sides.
