Mediators gave Israel and Hamas a final draft of a deal on Monday to end the war in Gaza, an official briefed on the negotiations said, after a midnight “breakthrough” in talks attended by envoys of both Joe Biden and Donald Trump. The official said the text for a ceasefire and release of hostages was presented by Qatar to both sides at talks in Doha, which included chiefs of Israel’s Mossad and Shin Bet spy agencies and Qatar’s PM.
‘Next 24 Hours Crucial’
Steve Witkoff, who will become US envoy when Trump takes office next week, attended the talks, the official said. A US source said the outgoing Biden’s envoy Brett McGurk was also there. “The next 24 hours will be pivotal to reaching the deal,” the official said, characterising the draft as the outcome of a breakthrough reached in the early hours of Monday.
Israel’s Kan radio, citing an Israeli official, reported Monday that Israeli and Hamas delegations in Qatar had both received a draft, and that the Israeli delegation had briefed Israel’s leaders. Israel, Hamas and the foreign ministry of Qatar did not respond for comment.
Officials on both sides, while stopping short of confirming that a final draft had been reached, described progress. “Negotiation over some core issues made progress and we are working to conclude what remains soon,” a Hamas official who wasn’t authorised to brief media said. Meanwhile, Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar said “progress has been made. I hope that within a short time we will see things happening. But it is still to be proved.”
Prolonged 1+Year of Talks
The US, Qatar and Egypt have worked for more than a year on talks to end the war in Gaza, so far fruitlessly. In Cairo, an Egyptian security official told Reuters the draft sent to the two warring sides did not comprise the final agreement but “aims to resolve outstanding issues that had hindered previous negotiations”. Families of the roughly 100 hostages still held in Gaza are pressing Netanyahu to reach a deal. Israel’s campaign in Gaza has killed over 46,000 Palestinians, the majority women and children, according to Hamas health ministry.
Phased Ceasefire In works?
According to sources, under discussion now is a phased ceasefire. Netanyahu has repeatedly signalled that he is committed only to the first phase, a partial hostage release in exchange for a weekslong halt in fighting. The possibility of a lasting ceasefire and other issues would be negotiated after the first phase begins. Hamas has demanded a full withdrawal and complete end to the war, and is hoping that this first phase will lead to that outcome.
De facto Deadline: Jan 20
A deal could weaken Netanyahu’s coalition, which includes two far-right factions that have threatened to leave the govt if Israel makes too many concessions. Netanyahu is hoping that the prospect of a Trump govt – which includes allies of the West Bank settler movement – will persuade his partners to remain in the govt.
Trump’s Jan. 20 inauguration is now widely seen in the region as a de facto deadline. The president-elect has said there would be “hell to pay” unless hostages held by Hamas are freed before he takes office, while outgoing Biden has also pushed hard for a deal before he leaves. US national security adviser Jake Sullivan told Bloomberg that there is a “distinct possibility” that Israel and Hamas will be able to reach a deal before Biden leaves office in a week on Jan 20, but added there were no guarantees.
