NEW DELHI: The United States announced on Sunday that talks in Paris led to an agreement on a potential deal for Hamas to release hostages and establish a new ceasefire in the Gaza war. An Israeli delegation, headed by Mossad chief David Barnea, met in Paris on Friday to discuss a deal that would ensure a fresh ceasefire and the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan informed CNN that representatives from Israel, the United States, Egypt, and Qatar reached an understanding on the basic outline of a hostage deal for a temporary ceasefire. Sullivan stated that further negotiations are required to finalize the details, with Qatar and Egypt engaging in indirect discussions with Hamas to secure their agreement on the release of hostages.
The negotiations for a ceasefire have resumed in Doha, involving the four countries and Hamas representatives, according to Egyptian media. During the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, Palestinian militants took around 250 hostages, with 130 still held in Gaza, including 30 presumed dead. Previous efforts by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States have successfully secured a week-long truce in November, resulting in the release of over 100 hostages and 240 Palestinian prisoners.
International pressure for a ceasefire has intensified as the death toll from Israel’s military offensive on Gaza approaches 30,000, primarily consisting of women and children, according to the Gaza health ministry. In response to Hamas’ attack in October, which caused the deaths of 1,160 individuals, mostly civilians, Israel has pledged to eliminate the ruling authority in Gaza.
White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan informed CNN that representatives from Israel, the United States, Egypt, and Qatar reached an understanding on the basic outline of a hostage deal for a temporary ceasefire. Sullivan stated that further negotiations are required to finalize the details, with Qatar and Egypt engaging in indirect discussions with Hamas to secure their agreement on the release of hostages.
The negotiations for a ceasefire have resumed in Doha, involving the four countries and Hamas representatives, according to Egyptian media. During the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, Palestinian militants took around 250 hostages, with 130 still held in Gaza, including 30 presumed dead. Previous efforts by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States have successfully secured a week-long truce in November, resulting in the release of over 100 hostages and 240 Palestinian prisoners.
International pressure for a ceasefire has intensified as the death toll from Israel’s military offensive on Gaza approaches 30,000, primarily consisting of women and children, according to the Gaza health ministry. In response to Hamas’ attack in October, which caused the deaths of 1,160 individuals, mostly civilians, Israel has pledged to eliminate the ruling authority in Gaza.