Hamas announced that ongoing talks in Doha, aimed at a truce and hostage-prisoner exchange with Israel, are showing "serious and positive" progress. The discussions, mediated by Qatar and Egypt, have raised hopes for a potential ceasefire if, according to Hamas, "the occupation ceases to impose new conditions."

High-Level Negotiations Underway
Israeli officials arrived in Doha on Monday to join the discussions, following a visit by Mossad chief David Barnea last week. These talks, held under the auspices of Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, are part of months-long efforts to negotiate peace and facilitate a hostage exchange in Gaza.

A source close to the discussions revealed that negotiations are centered around a multi-stage plan, starting with a humanitarian phase. This would involve the release of Israeli civilian hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, accompanied by a gradual ceasefire lasting two to four weeks and extended incrementally. The plan reportedly aims to lead to a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

Hopes for an Agreement
Defense Minister Israel Katz stated on Monday that the Israeli side "had not been this close to an agreement" since the November 2023 truce. Hamas officials, too, expressed optimism, with a senior official in Doha calling the deal "closer than ever before." However, concerns remain that political developments in Israel could disrupt the process.

The truce discussions come after a previous one-week ceasefire last year allowed the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners. That temporary pause in hostilities raised expectations for further negotiations, but subsequent efforts had failed until now.

Next Steps
The agreement’s three-phase framework awaits Israeli approval. This plan envisions a gradual de-escalation, leading to an eventual end to the conflict and a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. Observers anticipate further developments before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20, as negotiators push to finalize the deal.

For now, the talks represent a cautiously hopeful step toward resolving one of the region's most protracted conflicts.

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