ALBAWABA - Significant progress has been made in the ongoing negotiations for a possible ceasefire in Gaza and an agreement for the exchange of prisoners, according to Israeli Channel 12. The channel emphasized that, in contrast to earlier talks, Hamas seems more keen to complete a settlement.
In an indication of possible progress in the talks, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to return to sessions with the relatives of inmates held in Gaza the following week.
At the same time, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, the prime minister and foreign minister of Qatar, stated that there is room for compromise between Israel and Hamas. He reaffirmed Qatar's repeated efforts to broker a ceasefire in coordination with the U.S. government.
Sheikh Mohammed, speaking at the 22nd Doha Forum, clarified that Qatar resumed mediation after a brief break last month because of what he said was a lack of commitment from the parties. The conference noted that ceasefire talks accelerated after U.S. President Donald Trump was elected, which led to Qatar's return to the table.
The prime minister of Qatar emphasized how urgent it is to address the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, pointing out that it has wider ramifications for Syria and Lebanon. "Everything must be done to put an end to the suffering," he said.
A U.S. official was quoted by the Associated Press as confirming recent advancements in ceasefire negotiations. The official stated that efforts to obtain the release of detainees in Gaza had been coordinated by the Biden administration and President-elect Trump.
Bassem Naim, a prominent member of Hamas' political bureau, also offered commentary on the situation, saying that international mediators have stepped up their attempts to mediate a settlement. He stated that the objective is to stabilize the area and put an end to the 14-month-old war.
